Key Takeaways
- The St John Apostolic Church of Prophecy is embroiled in a leadership battle between Archbishop Billy Patrick Ramokoka and Tebogo Joseph Nku.
- The North West High Court in Mafikeng has halted all further structural alterations to the church’s historic building until the leadership dispute is resolved.
- The church’s notable members include Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu and the late Kebby Maphatsoe.
- The court battle is centered around accusations of demolishing the church and destroying a historically significant and sacred building.
Introduction to the Leadership Dispute
The St John Apostolic Church of Prophecy has been rocked by an intensifying dispute between rival factions, with the battle now playing out in court as the warring leadership trade accusations. The North West High Court in Mafikeng has ordered that alterations to the church building be halted until the leadership battle is resolved. This comes after Tebogo Joseph Nku, the church’s hereditary claimant, approached the court alleging that the faction led by Archbishop Billy Patrick Ramokoka was demolishing the church and intending to replace it with a new structure.
The Court Battle
A judgment, delivered on 7 November, temporarily stayed an earlier order obtained by Nku in August. That initial order barred Ramokoka’s faction from demolishing the church structure located at Vogelstruisdraai Farm in Motlollo, near Madikwe. The order has suspended all construction work, except temporary protective measures, until Part B of the application was finalised. Part B would determine the legitimate Archbishop of the church in a leadership dispute that dates back years and has its roots in the divisions that surfaced after the death of successive archbishops of the church, which was founded by Christina Mokotudi Nku. Rival factions have allegedly clashed over property rights and leadership claims.
Accusations and Denials
In the current application, Nku approached the court alleging that the Ramokoka faction was demolishing the church and intending to replace it with a new structure. He argued that removing the roof and interior fittings amounted to destroying a historically significant and sacred building. But the Ramokoka faction denied this, contending that the work was part of authorised renovations and improvements supported by a construction agreement signed in June. They accused Nku of material non-disclosure when seeking the order and argued that reversing the renovations, such as reinstating the roof, was not practical. The court found that while Nku may have exaggerated the extent of demolition, his concerns were not deliberately misleading.
The Court’s Ruling
The court found that the heart of the matter is the preservation of the structure and avoidance of irreversible prejudice. Acting Judge B. Mabuza stated in the ruling that all other construction work, especially on the exterior or load-bearing elements, has been halted until the leadership dispute is resolved. Photographs before the court show that although the roof had been removed, the walls and main structural framework were still intact. According to a church member from the Nku faction, who asked not to be named, they were in court last Friday in Mahikeng, where the judge dismissed the proceedings but did not strike their application off the roll, giving them a chance to fight.
The Church’s Notable Members
The St John Apostolic Church of Prophecy has several notable members, including Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu, a respected disability activist and long-serving former deputy minister of social development. Another prominent member was the late Kebby Maphatsoe, former president of the now-disbanded Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) and deputy minister of defence. He was ordained as a bishop of the church by Archbishop Billy Ramokoka in April 2016 in Motlollo village. The church’s members are eagerly awaiting the resolution of the leadership dispute, which has been ongoing for years.
Conclusion
The St John Apostolic Church of Prophecy is embroiled in a bitter leadership battle, with the North West High Court in Mafikeng ordering that alterations to the church building be halted until the dispute is resolved. The court battle is centered around accusations of demolishing the church and destroying a historically significant and sacred building. The church’s notable members, including Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu and the late Kebby Maphatsoe, are likely to be affected by the outcome of the dispute. The court’s ruling has given the Nku faction a chance to fight, and the matter is still ongoing. The resolution of the leadership dispute will have significant implications for the church and its members.
