Celani Sikhakhane
High profile KZN politicians are locked in a dispute over the ownership of a church in Durban that was started to give then deputy president Jacob Zuma a platform.
EFF Provincial Chairperson, Vusi Khoza who claims to be the co-founder of the eThekwini Community Church (ECC), wants Bishop Vusi Dube to release all the funds of the church to the rightful owners.
“It’s painful that for years Bishop Dube has managed to lie about the church and everyone seems to believe him,” said Khoza.
“We founded ECC and headhunted Bishop Vusi Dube from the Durban Christian church to be our reverend. But later he hijacked the church and turned it into his own vehicle to gain support from the ANC leadership.”
He says they started the ECC with the late businessman Sipho Nyawo, Khulubuse Zuma and two Mvelase brothers.
“We founded the ECC because at that time the ANC in Durban didn’t have a platform for Jacob Zuma to address the religious masses,” said Khoza.
Dube, an ally of Zuma and ANC MPL, has challenged Khoza to take what belongs to him.
“He is an opportunist. He must come and take the church if he is telling the truth. I founded this church with my wife Dr Taki. Khoza was working at the admin office,” Dube told Scrolla.Africa.
He says it is untrue that other people mentioned by Khoza are founding members.
“Nyawo was a member of his father’s church, the Full Gospel Church and Khulubuse was among those who would come to attend sessions. Khoza’s claims are frivolous,” said Dube.
The ECC has been a home to many ANC politicians and top tenderpreneurs as well as international artists such as Kirk Franklin and others.
Image source: Chibi Archives/YouTube
