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Leave, pastor tells gays
18 Apr 2008- Johannesburg, South Africa-
“No homosexuality in my house, I am a pastor.” These are the words of Pastor Ben
Dlamini of Belgravia, Johannesburg, a former gay man.
The 30-year-old man of the cloth said his
male friend, Lethuxolo Mafunisa, was taking advantage of his generosity by
breaking the ground rules he had laid down.
He said it was unacceptable that Mafunisa had
a homosexual relationship even though Mafunisa, whom he called “a Christian
brother”, knew the practice was “prohibited” in the house.
“I was once gay and proud of it and lived
that lifestyle to the fullest,” Dlamini said. “I have turned my back on that and
I am now a priest serving God only. My house serves as a church too.
“I have a congregation who knows that I am no
longer gay and have given my life to God. What will my parish think when they
hear that a gay couple live in my house”?
Dlamini stressed that he was not against
homosexuality – as long as it didn’t happen in his house. He felt as if his home
had been invaded and his peaceful Christian life disrupted.
On Wednesday night he went as far as calling
the police. He asked them to evict Mafunisa and his partner, but the police left
after saying the matter was personal.
But Mafunisa’s partner, Prince McPherson,
said Dlamini’s outbursts were driven by jealousy
“He has been harassing my partner (Mafunisa)
and barred me from the house,” McPherson said. “I don’t know when he became
straight because the whole congregation is gay.”
He said Dlamini had called him derogatory
names .
“We have sought legal help because he is out
of control,” he said. “And he told you he is no longer gay?”
Mafunisa said: “What Dlamini says is rubbish.
He is out of his mind.”
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