The High Court of Eswatini has granted a temporary order allowing Sibongile Dlamini, the senior wife of late Apostle Jeremiah Dlamini, to continue leading the Faith Christian Fellowship Church. This follows an urgent application by the church, Sibongile, and Senior Pastor Muzi Myeni, who are challenging decisions made by Manzini Magistrate Thamsanqa Ndlovu on September 29 and October 27. The magistrate's decisions had created uncertainty over the church's leadership.
The dispute arose after the death of Apostle Jeremiah Dlamini on July 10, 2026. The church's pastors convened a meeting on July 28 to discuss the succession plan, and it was resolved that Myeni would temporarily hold the position as pastor. However, another meeting on September 12 led to a resolution that Sibongile, also known as Mum-Apostle, would assume overall leadership and oversight of all the church's branches. The church has grown to approximately 14 branches in Eswatini and South Africa since its establishment by Apostle Jeremiah Dlamini around 1983.
Two congregants, Nsizwa Mhlanga and Absalom Dlamini, challenged the decision, approaching the Manzini Magistrates Court with a peace-binding application involving the church's leadership. The parties appeared before Magistrate Ndlovu on September 28, and although they informed the magistrate that his court was not the appropriate forum to determine the church leadership dispute, he proceeded to formulate terms of reference for a Special Advisory and Mediation Task Team.
The task team was directed to submit a report, together with the church's constitution, by January 11, 2027. However, this development caused confusion within the church, particularly after Mhlanga and Absalom allegedly informed other congregants that Sibongile was not entitled to lead the church. The dispute returned to the Manzini Magistrates Court on October 27, when the parties appeared before Magistrate Ndlovu again.
During this appearance, the magistrate informed them that Sibongile should not assume leadership in terms of the September 12 resolution. Instead, he directed that the task team assume leadership of the church together with representatives of the Conference of Churches, League of Churches, and Council of Churches. The applicants are seeking an order directing that Sibongile should remain the overall leader and overseer of Faith Christian Fellowship Church.
The court further ordered that Magistrate Ndlovu prepare and transmit to the registrar of the High Court the record of proceedings under Manzini Magistrates Court Case 347/2026. The application was instituted by the church, its proposed leader Sibongile, and Myeni, who is a senior pastor and was previously the right-hand man of the late founder. Judge Mzwandile Fakudze granted an interim order reviewing and setting aside the magistrate's decisions.
The case highlights the complexities of church leadership disputes and the role of the judiciary in resolving such matters. Sibongile's leadership has been recognized by the church's pastors, and her role as Mum-Apostle has been acknowledged. The court's decision provides temporary relief to Sibongile and the church, allowing them to continue their operations while the review application is finalized.
Key points
- The Eswatini High Court has granted a temporary order allowing Sibongile Dlamini to continue leading the Faith Christian Fellowship Church.
- The dispute arose after the death of Apostle Jeremiah Dlamini, who founded the church around 1983.
- The court's decision provides temporary relief to Sibongile and the church, allowing them to continue their operations while the review application is finalized.
