By Celani Sikhakhane
- Shembe church men, known as Inhlalisuthi, say insults against their leader are a deliberate attempt to weaken his spiritual power.
- The anger follows a viral video of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini calling Shembe an idiot, which the two leaders have since resolved.
Men of the Shembe Nazareth Baptist Church, known as Inhlalisuthi, say they are furious over repeated insults directed at their spiritual leader, Inkosi Mduduzi Nyazilwezulu Shembe of eBuhleni, which they believe are a deliberate attempt to weaken his spiritual power to heal.
The anger follows a viral video in which King Misuzulu kaZwelithini called Shembe an idiot. The two leaders have since resolved the matter, with Shembe publicly forgiving the King. The anger has since been fuelled further by TikTok personalities Thabani Hlatshwayo, Max Makhanya and Thami Mgibe Nyawo, who church members say made insulting comments about Shembe online.
Mkhathini Khoza, a member of the Ulundi-based Inhlalisuthi, told a local radio station that the church’s male congregation, which includes judges, lawyers and traditional leaders, can no longer stay silent.
“What is more concerning is that our church is made up of strong men, judges, lawyers and traditional leaders, who are supposed to take up this matter. We have young men who have made it their daily bread on TikTok to insult and humiliate Inkosi Nyazilwezulu Shembe, while we, the men of the church, stay quiet.
Who will protect our leader if we don’t stand up for him? This is our God, who heals the sick and answers prayers. How is he supposed to carry out his spiritual duties while he is deliberately attacked from every side?” Khoza said.
Shembe has told the church he has forgiven King Misuzulu.
“I have forgiven His Majesty because he was under the influence,” he said, adding that it was easier to forgive someone who insulted him while drunk than those in the church who insult him daily while sober.
Shembe sent a delegation to meet the King at kwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace last week, where the matter was resolved.
The King, who is also a member of the church, sent his own royal delegation to formally apologise for the video.
Pictured above: The Shembe Nazareth Baptist Church, whose members are furious over a wave of insults directed at their leader, Inkosi Mduduzi Nyazilwezulu Shembe.
Image source: X
