Holy war

The deadly nationwide conflict within the ranks of the International Pentacostal Holy Church (IPHC) appears to have spread to Bela-Bela, after leading church member Abel Lepu Mahlanya succumbed to a burst of gunfire on Thursday 16 May.

Bela-Bela police spokesperson Sergeant Frans Maponya said the police were investigating a “hit”, with six bullets pumped into the deceased’s body.

“He died at the scene of the shooting,” he said.

Maponya said armed robbery was not suspected, because nothing was stolen from the deceased.

Mahlanya was an IPHC church elder, businessman, artist and political activist.

He was known in Bela-Bela and beyond for hiring out events equipment such as tents and chairs.

According to Mahlanya’s distraught mother, Francinah Mahlanya, he will be buried on Friday 24 May at the local cemetery.

She requested members of the community to allow the family space to mourn a loved one, and chose not to speak further to The BEAT about the matter.

The news of the passing of Mahlanya sent shockwaves on social media, with scores of people pouring out their grief about the tragedy.

The IPHC has been caught up in a whirlwind of bloody conflict, often characterised by gun battles between warring factions, following the death of church leader Comforter Clayton Modise.

A series of court cases continue to unfold countrywide, with church members linked to shootings and also malicious damage to property.

At the centre of the conflict is an alleged church leadership row between three brothers, Leonard Modise, Tshepiso Modise and Sandlana Modise, who have all claimed heirship to the IPHC
leadership.

— The BEAT