Two groups fight over control of the same church across Botswana. Each side claims they represent the real St Engenas Zion Christian Church. David Matsetse leads one group that registered the church legally back when it started there during 1974. Oreeditse Sola Molebatsi heads the other group that has strong connections to church leaders at the main headquarters. The dispute has torn congregations apart for many years.
Bishop Joseph Engenas Lekganyane flew to Botswana from South Africa to help solve the problem. He met with President Duma Gideon Boko and government ministers about the church war. The bishop also sat down with representatives from both fighting sides. Security guards blocked reporters from asking him questions during his visit. Church insiders say the bishop did not want to pick sides between the groups.
The Matsetse group lost their legal registration because of the ongoing battle. They have filed court papers against the government for letting both churches operate at the same time. The Molebatsi faction controls most of the 67 church branches across the country despite lacking official registration. Their group registered a duplicate church during 2009 but officials shut it down quickly.
Money problems make the fight worse between both sides. Matsetse supporters accuse the other group of stealing church funds and using fake documents. They say money gets carried to South Africa without proper records or audits. Police and financial investigators are looking at claims about money laundering and fraud.
The Molebatsi group blocks people from visiting the holy site at Moria. Faithful members cannot make their important religious trips without special permission letters. Some church members have missed the sacred pilgrimage for seven years because of this ban.
Bishop Joseph Engenas Lekganyane flew to Botswana from South Africa to help solve the problem. He met with President Duma Gideon Boko and government ministers about the church war. The bishop also sat down with representatives from both fighting sides. Security guards blocked reporters from asking him questions during his visit. Church insiders say the bishop did not want to pick sides between the groups.
The Matsetse group lost their legal registration because of the ongoing battle. They have filed court papers against the government for letting both churches operate at the same time. The Molebatsi faction controls most of the 67 church branches across the country despite lacking official registration. Their group registered a duplicate church during 2009 but officials shut it down quickly.
Money problems make the fight worse between both sides. Matsetse supporters accuse the other group of stealing church funds and using fake documents. They say money gets carried to South Africa without proper records or audits. Police and financial investigators are looking at claims about money laundering and fraud.
The Molebatsi group blocks people from visiting the holy site at Moria. Faithful members cannot make their important religious trips without special permission letters. Some church members have missed the sacred pilgrimage for seven years because of this ban.
