Shock and outrage over church 'abuse' video

21 January 2019 - 18:05 By Cebelihle Bhengu

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More people have come forward to detail their experiences in the church.
Image: phartisan/123RF

Video footage of what appears to be a woman beating two girls has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling on officials to take action.

DispatchLIVE reported that the woman beating the young girls is a church leader at the Endumisweni Faith Mission in Mdantsane, near East London. The two girls in the video footage, which has since gone viral, spoke to DispatchLIVE about the incident.

@AdvBarryRoux there's a lot of exposing waiting to happen here. Ngcobo "7 Angels Church" kinda vibes. This is in Mdantsane, East London Zone 8. The cult is called "Endumisweni Faith Mission" pic.twitter.com/TnjeptdUBl
— Finbar McTeague (@Finbar_McTeague) January 19, 2019

They said they were being punished for a short video they had posted on WhatsApp in which they were seen dancing at a shopping centre.

DispatchLIVE reported that at least 15 other members of the church have come forward since the video emerged, detailing their experiences at the church.

As the video made its rounds on Twitter, people accused the church of being a cult and called for action.

This makes me so angry.
— Your Favourite Black Girl. (@LeratoMothusi) January 19, 2019

This is abuse. The child is crying and begging for forgiveness kanti kufuneka kuthiweni?
— Olza (@Olwethuster) January 19, 2019

@SAPoliceService show us what you are capable of.
— Tendai Joe (@Tendaijoe) January 19, 2019

Justice is needed for this young lady..Church elder you not God!
— Ndzwaiba Lungisa (@NdzwaibaL) January 19, 2019

That church needs to be closed
— Siphokazi Menta (@sporomenta) January 20, 2019

What a violent way of punishing a "demon"....very unholy conduct...I am lost for words...poor little girl....so this confirms that even us woman we abuse woman...so we must a have a day heighten awareness of young woman being abused by old woman....
— SmartPrincessyomZulu (@SmaZuluPrincess) January 20, 2019