CRL commission hears more abuse stories about KwaSizabantu Mission

The CRL Rights Commission has heard more chilling insights into alleged abuses that took place at the KZN-based KwaSizabantu Christian Mission at a hearing held in Johannesburg on Thursday.

The hearings, which began in Durban last week before moving to Johannesburg this week, are part of the commission's investigation into allegations of fraud, rape, assault and money laundering levelled against the church.

SowetanLIVE reported that one of the alleged victims gave testimony about how her family was left broken after her brother died in the church under mysterious circumstances.

Nduduzo Mtungwa said after her older brother wrote a letter to a girl, he was a few days later found lying dead in a room in the church. He was beaten, allegedly by her uncle who, like her parents, was part of the church. However, her family believes that they were not told the whole story and that her uncle was used as a front.

“I would love for someone to investigate so we can get the truth about what really  happened,” she said.

Mtungwa said her family never received a postmortem report, so they do not know the cause of death.

Because they were indoctrinated in the church they followed the leaders and didn't ask questions.

“My father felt like he sacrificed his son to the church,” she said.

Mtungwa said that was just the start of her family falling apart. Her second brother was kicked out of the church after he sneaked away with his friends. After the church tried to rehabilitate him he ran away to Johannesburg where he was later shot dead in an unrelated incident.

“If you are chased away from school or the church then your family can't accept you back,” she said.

Mtungwa said what haunts her is that her brother died alone.

“He died in isolation with no family. He died knowing his family doesn't love him,” she said.

She said her third brother also left the church and suffers from psychotic episodes that she believes were caused by abuse in the church. In tears, Mtungwa was unable to finish her testimony.

Barney Mabaso, a relative of Mtungwa's,  testified that he also disowned his son for writing a letter to a girl.

“The fact that he is here with me today is a miracle,” he said.

His son Smanga  came to give emotional support to his father, and said he had forgiven him.

“It was very easy for me to get over it because he believed in it. He wasn't doing this to please someone. When he realised that what he did was wrong he came and apologised,” the son said.

More rules were also put in the spotlight such as black girls having to shave their heads and being tested for virginity from as young as nine.

An IT specialist who was hired to create the database that manages the Kwasizabantu Mission Church said counsellors in the church formed “incestuous spiritual connections” with members of the church.

Louis Erasmus, who consulted between 2011 and 2018, said because many members worked for the church they would be compelled to confess their sins to their direct bosses.

“If they believe that you have not confessed your sins then you could actually lose your job,” said Erasmus.

He said some employees were also underpaid, with a stipend of R1,000.

“It's not a normal relationship between the employer and employee. Your boss knows your deepest secrets. They are now scared their darkest secrets will be made public,” he said.

Erasmus said though he was treated very well, he witnessed people being kicked out of the church after being accused of not being “truthful” with their confessions.

Asked by the commission's chair how the counsellors knew that people have not made a truthful confession, he said: “They need to feel that you are open, then they think it's sufficient.”

TimesLIVE