Apostle Mthobisi Khuzwayo, a pastor who calls himself Jesus’ younger brother, has provoked the ire of the community of Shakaville, KwaDukuza (Stanger), in KwaZulu-Natal, for exorcising school pupils from the area by making them drink beer. Isolezwe reports.
The 25-year-old Khuzwayo reportedly calls himself Apostle Anasinyego, which he says means God’s most trusted.
Khuzwayo is reportedly proud of driving out demons from pupils from Tshelenkosi High School in the area, which he did by making the children drink beer.
Some locals told the publication that they have had enough of the pastor making their children drunk.
One resident was quoted as saying that pupils now sneaked out of school or bunked entirely so that they could go drink alcohol at Khuzwayo’s church.
“As a community, we are even considering expelling this family [Khuzwayo’s] from the area because of the ill practices that they do in this area,” the resident was quoted as saying.
Khuzwayo’s brother, whose name was withheld by the publication, confirmed that Khuzwayo’s beliefs have caused a rift within the family.
“Him [Khuzwayo] and mother are following this satanic belief while I and others in the family do not agree with it,” the brother said.
The brother told the publication that the family has since taken issue with Khuzwayo and his mother which led to a meeting being held on Friday in which they were urged to ditch this belief.
“Ever since they converted to this belief, some family members passed on under mysterious circumstances.
“Now they have started doing this bad thing of making children drink alcohol while in their school uniforms,” the brother said, adding that now the community was irate with the family, which has received threats.
The brother further said the matter has been reported to the police.
“We wanted to open a case against my brother but the police said they could not open the case because my brother had done nothing wrong,” the brother said.
Another local alleged that Khuzwayo was now working with the Johannesburg-based pastor who fed people snakes and grass.
Prophet Penuel Mnguni was dubbed the “Petrol Pastor” and the “Snake Pastor” after giving congregants petrol to drink and snakes to eat.
Khuzwayo told the publication that though his beliefs had caused a split in the family he would, however, not part ways with his faith because he was following God’s orders.
Khuzwayo said John 14, verse one to 14, was his divine inspiration, adding that Jesus said that those who believed in him, Jesus, and his works, would do greater things than he, Jesus, had done.
“I am listening to the word of God, that is why people do not understand that I am performing the works that the father in heaven has instructed me to do. My family is still living worldly ways,” Khuzwayo said.
The apostle further said that God had instructed him to turn alcohol into the blood of Jesus which he would use to drive out demons.
“Jesus was able to turn water into wine, he healed the blind by rubbing mud on their eyes. I am carrying on where my big brother, Jesus, left off,” Khuzwayo said.
He explained that he and Mnguni are spiritual siblings.
Khuzwayo told the newspaper that he started believing in his faith in 2013 after completing school.
“God then called me and taught me about his powers. He gave me a number of instructions to show people his power,” Khuzwayo was quoted as saying.
Khuzwayo’s mother, Nozipho, refused to comment, the newspaper reported.
This is not the first pastor to use beer for “healing purposes”.
Another pastor made congregants drink beer for “deliverance”, while another preached in a tavern with a Bible in one hand and beer in the other.
(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)
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