'The churches are worse than alcohol abuse'

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Friday April 23, 2010 00:00

'These challenges are not easily perceived by the unsuspecting and gullible members of the public,' said Kgosi Sekai in an interview in Mochudi. 'They stand out as the most difficult challenges and require responses that may not be appreciated by some people.

'This is a new and perhaps more sinister challenge in Kgatleng, especially here in Mochudi, one worse than alcohol abuse.'

The three magosi confirmed the closure of a second such denomination in Mochudi, a ZCC branch, because it was allegedly feeding its members poisonous concoctions. The 'renegade' branch is led by a priest known as Black, they said.

Kgosi Sekai said the church was ordered to close after its priest allegedly made congregants drink poisonous substances.

In another incident, the Bakgatla royals said a member of the local Mohau apostolic Faith Mission drowned during Easter baptisms. 'The leadership of the church has since taken a laid back attitude about the entire incident which has shocked the family of the deceased,' said Kgosi Bogopa. 'The case is with the Mochudi police.'

Kgosi Sekai, who recently led a regiment to close down a Family of God branch in Mochudi, said false prophets were masquerading as churches to lead members of the public to self-annihilation.

Kgosi Sekai, also the Deputy Kgosi of Bakgatla said he had cautioned Black against poisoning people with a substance known as thabura on two occasions.

'This liquid substance is allegedly a mixture of Jeyes Fluid and methylated spirit and it intoxicates the congregation to the point of a semi-consciousness,' Kgosi Sekai said. 'Despite the admonition, Black continued serving this toxic substance until the mophato reigned him in over Easter by flogging him.'

Kgosi Sekai said denominations like the Family of God had no respect for the laws of Botswana and the rights of other people. 'There is a clear law against disturbing the community with noise at night,' he said.

'These churches claim the constitution guarantees freedom of worship but ignore the fact that such a right goes with respecting the rights of others and the expressed wishes of the community.

'Bakgatla have resolved here at the Kgotla that they do not want noise in their communities. Besides, out of disrespect, these churches refuse to attend kgotla meetings for dialogue. Instead they prefer to deal with the matter by seeking public sympathy through false reports in the media.'

Reacting to the Bishop of the Family of God, Seamogetswe Keoleletse's interview with Mmegi earlier this week, Kgosi Sekai said the bishop was not present when his followers were thrashed by the mophato.

'His version is false when he says Mmusi was present and when he suggests that members of the mophato were drunk,' he said.