By Motshwari Mo Mofokeng |
PRETORIA — A protracted power struggle within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) is poised to return to the courtroom this week as opposing factions vie for dominance over one of Southern Africa’s largest religious organizations.
The Gauteng North High Court is scheduled to hear arguments from March 17 to 20 regarding the disputed leadership succession that has fractured the church for years. Central to the conflict are rival groups associated with church leaders Leonard Modise and Tshepiso Modise.
This upcoming hearing follows a significant turn of events in July 2023 when Judge Portia Phahlane oversaw the withdrawal of a combined succession challenge initiated by Leonard Modise. This withdrawal occurred after an unexpected reconciliation between the Modise brothers, leading to a punitive costs order against Leonard due to procedural errors.
In the wake of that ruling, the IPHC Jerusalem faction issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding that Leonard Modise and his supporters leave the church’s Zuurbekom headquarters. They contended that the withdrawal of the court challenge effectively relinquished their claim to leadership.
Nevertheless, Modise’s faction has maintained control of the Silo premises, dismissing the eviction demand as mere propaganda and asserting that no court order exists to authorize their removal.
Reports suggest that church figure Michael Sandlana is anticipated to be present at the four-day hearing, while it remains uncertain if the Modise brothers will attend in person. The outcome of this case could significantly influence control over valuable church properties and the future leadership of the denomination.
