The leader of the Ekhaya Labafundi bakaJehova religious group in KwaMaphumulo, Vusumuzi Sibiya, has been ordered to vacate the land by local traditional authority leader Nkosi Makhosini Qwabe.
Nkosi Makhosini Qwabe issued the directive to Vusumuzi Sibiya after an oversight visit last Friday by the CRL Rights Commission and the Department of Social Development to the church premises in KwaMaphumulo.
During the visit, officials removed 19 children who lived there with their parents, as they were not allowed to attend school. Authorities expressed concerns about the church's operations, including the isolation of members from society.
Qwabe stated that Sibiya lacked permission to occupy the land or run the church. "The council has told Sibiya to tell all his congregants to leave the church and go back to where they come from," Qwabe said. He added that senior council members were sent to relay the message.
Qwabe criticized Sibiya's activities, saying they discourage medication and school attendance, and violate health regulations by housing over 52 people in a small area. He called for a police raid, suggesting they use sniffing dogs to check for illegal tombstones.
Sibiya was unavailable for comment. Last week, he told the CRL Commission that congregants joined voluntarily.
