KZN government removes children from controversial religious sect in KwaMaphumulo
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The Department of Social Development (DSD) in KwaZulu-Natal has finally intervened in the controversial religious sect in Dabangu village, KwaMaphumulo, which has been in the news for abandoning a conventional lifestyle in favour of subsistence farming and perpetual worship.
The department pounced on the religious sect’s smallholding, iKhaya Labafundi bakaJesu (Home of Jesus’s Disciples) midweek removing children who had been forced to drop out of school and were met with ululation and jubilation from the nearby community as officials engaged with the sect’s leader Reverend Vusumuzi Sibiya, and some of the parents.
The DSD was accompanied by officials from the KZN Department of Health and representatives of the interfaith community, who collectively denounced the sect’s practices, citing its risky advice on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for HIV-positive members and its interpretation of scripture, respectively.
One of the disciples, Ntokozo Mkhize, a University of Cape Town computer science dropout, confirmed that the children were taken away.
Mkhize said they were not worried, as God would fight for them in the situation they are facing.
“What was happening here was like a movie. Twenty cars arrived here, but we know God will not forsake us,” said Mkhize.
Mkhize said those who took the children to relatives did so on the basis of wanting a better life for them.
“According to them, the children should eventually attend school,” said Mkhize.
Reverend Sibiya’s daughter, Nosipho, said that even though the children were taken away, they are not worried as their God will fight for them.
“We trust in God so much; there is no situation He won’t conquer for us,” said Nosipho.
Pressure had been mounting on the religious sect after KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and the Chairperson of the Culture, Religion and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, both separately denounced it.
Content retrieved from: https://iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/2026-04-12-kzn-government-removes-children-from-controversial-religious-sect-in-kwamaphumulo/.
