Falling from grace?

Legendary Bishop Roxley Masevhe, the renowned Gospel singer and founder of Fire Temple Ministries in Itsani, seems to find himself on the wrong side of the law. The man of the cloth, popularly known as Mu Bishop Vho-Masevhe, handed himself over to the Thohoyandou Police on Monday, 8 January, after a 17-year-old girl had laid a charge of rape against him.

According to Vhembe Police Spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi, the complaint was lodged against him on 5 January. “He was charged with statutory rape and assault. Not much about the case can be divulged at this stage as investigations are continuing, but this is alleged to have started in January 2023,” he said.

Masevhe was locked up immediately upon arrival at the police station on Monday and appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court that same day. His case was postponed to 16 January for further investigation.

Ms Thelma Marole, secretary of the Vhembe Combined Group and senior DA leader in Limpopo, strongly condemned the incident. “We are not going to dwell on the case. We are not saying he committed this crime, but we are saying the law should take its course. As leaders, we are very disturbed by these accusations, especially when such acts are committed by prominent people in our communities who should be exemplary. We urge men to guard themselves against temptations, while at the same time calling upon mothers to keep close to their girls in order for them to detect unusual behaviour earlier,” she said.

Masevhe has released 45 albums and 400 singles over the past 46 years and is regarded as one of the country’s great musicians. His timeless hits include songs such as “Munwe Munwe U do Fhira” and “Vhuya Lufuno Lwa Kale,” among many others.

In September last year, he celebrated his 64^th birthday, when he also launched his autobiography, titled “Against All Odds, From Grass to Grace”. The book offers a glimpse into the life of Roxley Fhatuwani Masevhe, from his youth and upbringing to his adult life.

The multiple award-winning songwriter, engineer, and producer’s outstanding work earned him an honorary doctorate in arts from Unisa in 2016.

Meanwhile, another well-known church leader, Bishop Samuel Tshabuse of the Hope of All Nations Ministries in Muledane, also found himself in hot water after being charged with pointing a firearm.

According to W/O Dathi, Pastor Francis Mhikwara (47) was allegedly with his congregants at the Masowe Church when Tshabuse arrived and threatened Mhikwara and his congregants. This apparently followed after Tshabuse had allegedly ordered the church to be closed and they had not complied with the instruction. Tshabuse then allegedly drove home and returned, dressed in camouflage clothing. He warned the pastor and church members to disperse while allegedly pointing a firearm at them.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Tshabuse later handed himself over to the police. He appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 10 January, and was granted R1,000 bail. His case was postponed to 18 March for further police investigations.

Date:12 January 2024

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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