They both hold somewhat important positions in society, but a tug-of-war between them has left the community in awe.
Ward 9 councillor Joseph Skosana, of Somaphepha Village, and Pastor Sibusiso Simelane, of City of Refuge Ministries who runs a rehabilitation centre in the councillor’s ward, have recently hung dirty linen against each other over alleged vicious beatings of drug addicts in Pastor Simelane’s care.
The row began when Councillor Skosana posted pictures on Facebook, of so-called patients at Pastor Simelane’s rehab centre, whom he said endured brutal beatings. The images depicted body scars and disfigured faces of young people admitted as patients. Skosana said he had earlier approached Simelane about the allegations of operating an illegal rehabilitation centre.
Simelane, on the other hand, puts the blame squarely on Skosana, accusing him of being a thug and a drug kingpin who supplies his patients with drugs. While he admitted that the patients were beaten, he said he was not the one who had unleashed the punishment.
Simelane explained: “Drugs were found at the centre during an unannounced visit conducted by myself and members of the Community Policing Forum. The drugs were found on patients after a search operation. I remember immediately after the search, CPF members gave them a serious hiding in my presence. That was a way of punishing them for bringing drugs at the place and to make them reveal who their supplier was.”
Simelane said the incident is not recent, as purported on social media. He said he believes the incident occurred in the first week of January, and said he is still wondering why it is only being brought up now. He reiterated that he blames the councilor for allegedly supplying the patients with drugs.
“He is selling drugs indirectly; he gives them to his friend called Amos,” he said. “On the said day, they knew we were coming and they planted the drugs at the centre and some were given to the patients. I think he did that because he wanted to have me arrested. He is bitter that I am standing in his way of selling drugs to young people in the community. I have always confronted him about this and so I have become a threat to his drug business.”
Simelane also rubbished the claims that he operates an illegal rehabilitation centre. He said he is fully accredited, and furnished the Highveld Chronicle with a copy of his accreditation certificate.
Skosana said the claims about him selling drugs are pure, fabricated lies, and that he is disappointed that such claims originate from someone who calls himself a pastor.
“He knows that what he is saying about me is not true,” he said. “I will never, ever sell drugs, I am against that. I want to say that I am open to be investigated. It is unfortunate that we have people like the pastor making such accusations about me.”
On the beatings of the patients, Skosana said shortly after the incident took place, he reported it to the Steve Tshwete Municipality’s Assistant Director of Gender and Social Development, as well as to the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Art, Culture and Environmental Health.
“The matter is being dealt with by the two offices because they are the ones overseeing everything at the centre, so that is where the issue of unlawful operation comes from,” he said. “Simelane knows he was approached about the centre’s non-compliance and the documents needed to prove his authenticity.”
After seeing the gruesome images of the patients who had been assault, a resident who asked to remain anonymous, said she cannot have her child beaten like that, and that as parents, they need to engage the pastor about this.
