Religious Ban Upsets Community

September 26, 2007

Author: Sipho Khumalo

Source: IOL

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=139&art_id=vn20070926043840385C193587

Members of the eMazimeleni tribe who live near Empangeni, where a local chief has allegedly banned social functions on Saturdays, say they feel abandoned by the government which has done nothing tangible to help them.

Residents of eMkhuphulangwenya, eKuphumuleni and Makholokholo, under Inkosi Mpiyezintombi Mzimela - a senior IFP member - said the chief had banned functions such as funerals, weddings and other social functions on Saturdays.

Mzimela is a member of the Shembe Church (Nazareth Baptist Church), whose members do not hold functions on Saturdays.

The Mercury visited the area at the weekend and found community halls deserted. Church leaders said that they were not allowed to conduct weddings on Saturdays.