MINING magnate, Patrice Motsepe, donated funds to Durban churches and schools last year.
At St Augustine’s Anglican Church in Umlazi, congregants who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that church members were engaged in a fight.
But Pastor Joseph Gumede denies the spat over funds – and says it must be a smear campaign.
“We haven’t even received the money. I think there are people who want to drag the church’s name through the mud,” he said.
But church members tell a different tale.
One congregant told Sunday Sun: “When Bab’uMotsepe donated this money, we were all happy. But now, we’re divided into two groups.”
The church member said the money was meant to help two gogos with beadwork projects – and buy instruments for the church choir.
“But each wants the money for only themselves,” said the source.
Another member said: “Youngsters told church leaders instruments were expensive, and that they couldn’t share the money with the gogos. They thought the money should be given only to them.
“They don’t think highly of the beautiful traditional work done by those women.”
Another member said: “The church used to work together. We used to divide the money without any argument before Motsepe’s money came in.
“But now we need prayer. It’s as if evil spirits have entered our church.”
Other congregants confirmed these allegations.
When Motsepe and his wife Precious made the donation through the Motsepe Foundation last year, the SunTeam was there.
Motsepe Foundation spokesperson Sizwe Nzimande referred inquiries to Nozipho Xulu, who then referred us back to Sizwe.
said the money will be used towards the church choir and the two ladies’ beadwork project. But now there is a dispute.
St Augustine’s Anglican Church pastor Joseph Gumede, denied the members are fighting over money.
He asked Sunday Sun to reveal it’s sources so that the church will “deal” with them.