SOWETAN NEWS

Pupil(8) dies after hose-pipe assault

By Lindile Sifile | Feb 20, 2016 |

A Free State teacher severely assaulted an eight-year-old pupil 

with a hose-pipe for failing to do her homework.

The child has since died and the teacher offered the girl's mother R100 for her medical bills.

Now a case of common assault has been opened against the Grade 3 teacher at Reatile Primary School in Petsana township near Reitz, Free State, with the possibility of a murder charge, after Nthabiseng Mtambo died at a hospital in Bethlehem last Sunday.

Reitz police confirmed yesterday that the teacher has been charged with assaulting the eight-year-old girl on January 26 after she allegedly failed to complete her homework. The provincial education department has begun internal disciplinary processes against the teacher, who is still teaching.

Spokesman Howard Ndaba said: "We are taking it seriously because it is illegal for an educator to hit a child. We could not just suspend the teacher as we need to investigate the allegations against her first."

Puleng Makgalemele said her daughter came back from school on January 26 complaining of a severe headache.

"She told me that her teacher had continuously beaten her on the head with a hose-pipe which the teacher calls Samuel. Every child at the school knows about Samuel," said Makgalemele.

She gave her daughter painkillers but when she noticed that they were not easing her pain she took her to Reitz Hospital. Doctors administered more painkillers but her condition deteriorated.

The next day Makgalemele went to report the matter to the principal who promised to handle it internally.

"While I was at school, the teacher offered me R100 for my daughter's medical bill and promised to give me more money a few days later. She did not deny hitting my child. I took the money because I felt the teacher was responsible for my child's sickness," said Makgalemele.

Nthabiseng's health got worse on February 1 and she was taken to a hospital in Bethlehem.

"She was no longer talking nor making any movement. The nurses told me that she had 'tuberculosis of the head'.

"I don't believe that because my child had never been sick before. She was my only child," Makgalemele said.

Makgalemele said her daughter had previously complained about her teacher's beatings but she never took these complaints seriously.

The mother said she wanted the educator to pay for the death of her daughter.

"She knows she is responsible for the death of my daughter. I'm appauled that she has not been suspended by the department or even arrested," said the mother.

"I want justice for my daughter. My child has never been sick and I wont accept that she could have died of some ilness."

Lieutenant Zweli Mohobeleli said initially a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was opened but this was then changed to common assault.

"This after the detectives learnt from the medical practitioner that the child's admission in hospital was as a result of an illness not confirmed as related to the alleged assault," said Mohobeleli.

He added that the teacher was warned and a statement was obtained from her.

"With the passing of the child we now have to rely on the post-mortem results to guide our investigation. The charge as well as further police action will be subject to this report," he said.

SOURCE: Sowetan

SOWETAN NEWS

Succession battle hots up after leader's 

death at 'Modise church'

By Sibongile Mashaba | Mar 02, 2016 | 

The battle for the soul of one of South Africa's biggest churches is brewing.

CAPTION: Daughter Sibitse Modise, Ntate's wife Mapoloko and Ntate's sister Jacqueline Modise International Pentecost Holiness Church members celebrate life of comforter Glayton Modise was laid to rest on Friday. Picture credit: Veli Nhlapo

Sowetan has been reliably informed that International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC) members are divided over who should take over the throne following the death of church leader Glayton Modise on February 9.

Modise, known to congregants as "Comforter" and "His Grace", died at Mediclinic Morningside, Johannesburg, following a short illness.

Sources in the church have accused Modise's son Tshepiso of pushing for his anointment as church leader with the support of others. They said the majority of congregants did not want Tshepiso to rule and said that Modise has another son who has been sidelined by Tshepiso and his mother Mmapoloko.

"Firstly, Tshepo [as Tshepiso is also known] is an anti-polygamist. Our church openly practices polygamy. So, tell me, how will he lead the church," asked one source.

Church spokesman Oupa Mosalakae has failed to respond to requests for comment since last Thursday.

Yesterday, he told Sowetan that he was no longer spokesman and did not know who had taken over.

Mosalakae was under fire for telling the commission investigating the commercialisation of religion that polygamy was not church policy. The church solemnises hundreds of polygamous marriages every year. Victor Mashele, who acts on behalf of Tshepiso Modise, said he was away and was not in a position to advise who Sowetan could speak to. Another member who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation said they were not in a position to accept Tshepiso as their leader.

"There have been several meetings since Ntate (Modise) was laid to rest (on February 12) and I can assure you that it's going to be a long battle. We just don't want Tshepiso to lead the church; he is not fit to do so," said the source.

Another member said Modise's eldest son should take over.

"We all know that this is a family church. Michael (eldest son) should take over. He has been sidelined by Mmapoloko. We know that he exists and would lead the church in the right direction," said the member.

Sources said there were meetings at the weekend and police were called in to prevent people from going in.

"We have made ourselves clear, we don't want Tshepiso to be our leader and will not back down. He is paying people in the church to support him and threatens those who do not want him," said a source.

The sources all confirmed that Mmapoloko did not attend Modise's wedding to Mmamohau in 2012.

"She tried to stop the wedding but failed. She is against polygamous marriages," said one source.

SOURCE: Sowetan

SOWETAN NEWS

Don't abuse beliefs - ZCC

By Sibongile Mashaba | Feb 19, 2016 | 

Zion Christian Church leader Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane came out strongly against pastors who abuse people's belief systems in the name of religion.

Addressing the media after the church made an "impressive" presentation to the commission investigating the commercialisation of religion in Polokwane yesterday, Lekganyane said Jesus could perform miracles.

"I believe Jesus Christ could make miracles. Only God can make miracles. So, it is difficult to say whether people make miracles or not... [However], they must not abuse the beliefs of their congregants," Lekganyane said.

He said it was not fair for other church leaders to refuse to cooperate with the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities.

"If you are operating in the environment where you have your things in front of you where everybody can see, then why should you hide it," Lekganyane said.

Since the investigations started only two pastors from Gauteng have refused to cooperate with the commission.

Prophet Samuel Radebe of the Revelation Church of God and Incredible Happenings Ministries leader prophet Paseka Motsoeneng declined to testify before the commission. Criminal cases have been opened against them.

Addressing the commission, Pakane Motau said the church collects R14 each month from young members towards the contribution of the water bill, office equipment and stationery.

This is despite the church collecting offerings from an estimated 10-million members during services.

Motau said the members fell under the Masogwana le Makgarebe (young men and women) scheme.

"They [members] take part in contributing a minimal amount towards certain activities within the church. We've got what we call offerings in our church. The ZCC does not fund raise. It relies on the generosity of volunteers," he said.

"Traditionally, ZCC members understand that the church and its local branches need to be maintained and well looked after hence they offer unconditionally, at any rate, at any amount they believe is worth being offered ," Motau said.

Reverend Emmanuel Motolla said the church used water, coffee and tea to bring healing to the masses.

"For healing, we use free blessed water. We use blessed tea, blessed coffee.

"We even use blessed salt. All these are used in accordance to the guidance from the prophecy under close supervision," said Motolla.

He said all water has to be boiled first before it can be consumed.

"Water is not sold, blessed or not. The role of water in the ZCC is to implement taelo (a religious command)," said Motolla.

He said the tea and coffee were among ditaelo that are consumed as per advise from the prophecy but with the emphasis that the tea and coffee have to be blessed.

"Whereas the church has customised a particular brand of tea or coffee, the recipient of taelo can utilise any brand of tea which will have to be blessed or prayed for first before it is used."

SOURCE: Sowetan

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SOWETAN NEWS

Woman kills son while 'exorcising demons'

By Agency Staff | Feb 26, 2016 |

A Kenyan woman has been arrested after she was accused of causing the death of her son while allegedly "exorcising demons".

The woman, Irene Mbithe, was arrested on Thursday after residents of Kangurue slum in the capital Nairobi raised alarm over the suspicious death of her son, Brian Kibet.

When police arrived at the scene, the child's tongue and intestines had been pulled out in an attempt to "free him" from the said demons.

In a video posted on Youtube by K24 television, Brian's aunt Catherine Muthama expressed shock over the ordeal.

"Nilishangaa sana kufika hapa kuona mama mtoto amevuruta ulimi ya mtoto kabisa na nikamuuliza kwanini anamaiza mtoto (When I arrived I was surprised to see the mother having pulled out the tongue of the baby and I screamed at her asking why she had killed him," she said.

Neighbours said the exorcism went on the whole night on Wednesday, adding that the commotion in the house was abnormal.

The child's mother, who spoke in Swahili, maintained that she meant no harm to him.

"Mungu nifungwe kama kuna kitu kibaya nimetendea huyu mtoto wangu ambaye nimeombea sana kupata (God punish me if I have done anything wrong to my son who I love so much and have prayed for years to conceive and give birth to)," she said.

Police took Mbithe for questioning at the Kayole Police station while the body of the baby was taken to the mortuary.

Exorcism is defined as as a process or action that is used to get rid of an evil spirit.

Cases of exorcism are not new to Kenya.

Last year a man who was allegedly exorcised of a homosexual demon was picked up while swimming in Kenya's Coastal city of Mombasa. He claimed to have been given the demon by two men whom he swam with, according to Emmanuel TV.

SOURCE: Sowetan News