Gospel diva expelled from church by her pastor

GOSPEL diva Abigail Mwembe has allegedly been expelled from church by her pastor who is not happy with her touring neighbouring countries without his approval.

Reverend Bekezela Ndlovu, the head of the Kingdom Life International Church in Bulawayo, allegedly dressed down Mwembe in front of a Sunday congregation two weeks ago before asking her to leave the church.

The gospel musician has been on tour in Botswana with Mkhululi Bhebhe, which according to reports, has not gone down well with Rev Ndlovu.

Sources at the church said matters came to a head when the pastor berated Mwembe for an hour in the middle of a service.

"The Reverend chased her from church two Sundays ago. He had initially made reference to her when she was away on tour in Botswana nearly three weeks ago," said a witness who requested anonymity. "When she returned, he dressed her down for an hour in front of the congregation. Everyone was shocked."

The witness said they suspected the Rev Ndlovu felt threatened by Mwembe's growing popularity in the church.

"From what I understand, Rev Ndlovu wasn't pleased with the way she (Mwembe) was travelling for shows outside the country without his approval. Also I think the Reverend felt she was becoming more popular than him," said the witness.

Alleged WhatsApp texts between Rev Ndlovu and Mwembe, which are in possession of Chronicle Showbiz, show a lengthy conversation where the gospel diva questions her expulsion.

"Ever since I joined KLIC I don't remember doing anything wrong. I've been so committed and stood against all odds. A lot of people had every negative word to say against me leaving Cornerstone for KLIC," reads one of the messages.

"Now that there was miscommunication between us that happened once in five years, I'm just told to take my bags and go.

Could it be an issue that you were waiting ukuthi ngingaphambisa lizang'xotsha (if I make a mistake you'll expel me) just like that or what?

"The words that you said at church are still lingering and this thing is eating me up."

Reverend Ndlovu then replied: "Point of correction Abie. You were told that if you don't want to be rebuked or corrected and you feel like that mustn't be done then you can go. And I said that to Meli, Lolly and you".

Mwembe said she was devastated that her Reverend was acting in the manner he was.

"I had forgotten about the issue that happened last Sunday. However, when I was walking in town on Monday this week, I met Rev Ndlovu," she said yesterday. "Immediately he started shouting at me and dressing me down in public. I cried and I was hurt."

Mwembe said all she wanted was to tour different countries and spread the gospel.

"I want to use my musical talent to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now I don't know what the problem with that is and I'm dumbfounded. I wish I knew the reason for him wanting me to seek permission from him," she said.

Mwembe said the release of her DVD album had also been affected.

"This whole fiasco has made me push back the release of my DVD album. I think it'll be next year as I have been concentrating on coming to terms with this whole thing," she said.

Efforts to get a comment from Rev Ndlovu were fruitless as his secretary identified only as Helen said she would ask him to get back to this reporter.

He had not done so by the time of going to print last night.