There was drama yesterday when a reverend from one of the Africa Evangelical Church (AEC) branches allegedly attacked a member of the AEC Eswatini Regional Executive with his fists — before reportedly drawing a bushknife inside the church.
The shocking altercation erupted moments after the reverend had delivered his sermon, leaving worshippers in disbelief.
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According to sources, members of the regional executive had visited the church to read a letter informing the congregation that the reverend was suspended from his duties.
However, tension escalated when the executive requested to address congregants, prompting the reverend to declare that it was his church and that the executive had no authority to speak.
Witnesses said he abruptly left the pulpit, leaving his Bible behind, and assaulted one of the executive members before brandishing a bushknife hidden in his suit.
Congregants quickly restrained him and escorted him outside.
“Everyone was in shock, no one understood what had triggered the outburst,” a source said.
Previous incidents
It has been alleged that this was not the first time the reverend showed aggressive behaviour.
Sources recalled a previous incident in which he insulted another pastor, an exchange that was recorded and circulated on social media.
He was also reportedly stopped by a Magistrate’s Court after attempting to cut down trees belonging to the church.
“He once shut down the church entirely,” another source claimed.
Church conflict deepens
This incident follows another at the AEC Mankayane branch, where the regional executive reportedly found the church locked and congregants ordered to leave.
At least 15 AEC pastors were recently served with suspension letters and had previously spent four days in prison for contempt of court, after defying a High Court order that barred them from holding a church conference at Inyandza High School.
The internal turmoil stems from ongoing court battles between the AEC Board of Directors and several excommunicated pastors.
Those dismissed from the church include Terrence Mthethwa, Petros Nkambule, Andrew Dlamini, Kenneth Mabuza, Kenneth Lukhele, Edward Nhambosse, and Themba Dlamini, who were found guilty of 32 charges of misconduct and insubordination between 2019 and 2023.
A circular from the board stated:
“Their excommunication from the AEC effectively renders them non-members of the church and undesirable.”
However, some reportedly continued to use their reverend titles, leading to their arrests last month.
Executive reaction
AEC Regional Executive member Mpendulo Mavuso confirmed the incident, saying no one was injured but describing the experience as deeply shocking.
“We were shocked that a pastor could carry a bushknife while preaching. He left his Bible on the pulpit and came straight to attack the pastor,” Mavuso said.
He added that the reverend had been posted to that branch by the executive according to church policy, and that a new reverend would be appointed soon.
The letter of suspension seen by this publication stated that the pastor had gone against the aims and objectives of the church as set out in Article 2 of the AEC Constitution of 1962.
The board noted that the purpose of the suspension was not punitive, but intended for correction, restoration, and reconciliation in line with biblical principles.
‘Our valley of darkness’
AEC Regional Executive Secretary Anson Zwane confirmed that the executive had been visiting several branches to deliver suspension letters to defiant pastors.
“We had to pass through this valley as the AEC, just like David passed through his lowest moments. This is our valley of darkness as a church because we have discovered elements in sheep’s clothing who are actually wolves,” he said.
Zwane confirmed that police were called to the scene and that statements were recorded.
He cited 1 Corinthians 11:18–19, saying divisions in the church were revealing who truly had God’s approval.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed that police responded to reports of a commotion involving a pastor brandishing a bushknife.
“No arrests have been made yet as investigations are ongoing,” she said.
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