PASTOR DISMISSED FOR CAUSING DIVISION IN CHURCH

MBABANE – One of the key duties of a pastor is to unite but it was allegedly not the case for a clergyman at Swaziland Reformed Church Hhohho.
Bheki Mabena was dismissed for among others things allegedly causing division and conflicts within the church.

Despite being dismissed Mabena is reported to be defiant in that he continued to administer the word of God in the church.
Mabena was dismissed from the house of worship after the chairman of his disciplinary hearing recommended that he should be removed from the office of tent maker.

His alleged defiance has resulted in the church filing an application at the High Court where it is seeking an order restraining him from entering the church and from performing or conducting any pastoral activities in relation to the Swaziland Reformed Church, Mbabane Branch.

Giving background of the matter, Pastor Alfred Gama who is the chairman of the church, stated that during the course of 2012 and afterwards a number of events culminated in the Hhohho Church Council of the church suspending Mamba from preaching and any other administrative duties in the Mbabane branch.
He alleged that the respondent (Mabena) was suspended through a letter dated July 25, 2015.

suspension

According to Gama, Mabena allegedly ignored the letter of suspension and acted as if he was not suspended. He said to date Mabena continues with his normal duties.
He pointed out that in pursuit of the suspension, the church set up disciplinary committee to hear evidence in support of the charges which Mabena was facing. Gama submitted that the respondent was invited to attend a disciplinary hearing wherein all the charges he was facing were stated.

“Two members of the Swaziland Reformed Church were requested to go and serve the respondent with the notice to attend the disciplinary hearing. He (Mabena) refused to accept the letter and stated that the secretary of the church had phoned him and advised him of same,” alleged Pastor Gama.
Gama argued that this was clear evidence that Mabena was aware of the charges.

proceeded

He alleged that the hearing nonetheless proceeded on August 19, 2017 in the absence of the respondent who reportedly elected not to attend. 
Gama said, the chairperson concluded her work and submitted her findings and ruling on the matter.

“The leaders of the church met to discuss the findings of the independent chairperson and they came to a conclusion that the respondent be removed as a tent maker in the Mbabane branch,” averred the chairman of the church. Gama highlighted that the decision was reduced into writing and allegedly forwarded to the respondent.

Mabena is reported to have, however, refused to accept the letter and allegedly said he was not interested in knowing what was inside.
remain
He submitted that, even after all these efforts, Mabena remained and continued to remain defiant in performing preaching duties at the Mbabane branch, which resulted in disciplinary proceedings being initiated against him.

Mabena is also accused having changed the lease agreement of the premises where the church was renting. He allegedly excluded the church as a tenant. The chairperson of the disciplinary hearing is said to have also found him guilty on the above charge.

“He has no right in law or otherwise to continue to preach and execute other administrative responsibilities in the church,” argued Gama. The church is represented by Mzwandile Ntshangase of Ntshangase Attorneys in Mbabane and the matter is still pending at the High Court.

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