In a tussle between a circumcision school and a neighbouring church, the magistrate’s court ruled in favour of the church.

A circumcision school at Chavani wanted complete silence for the duration of the school and required the churches to discontinue all meetings where they play instruments, sing or use the sound system of the church.

The pastor Fountain of Life Christian Centre in Chavani, Pastor Michael Maimele, went to the Chief to state the case of the church. Thereafter, official meetings with the tribal court were held, with the first meeting on June 19. "At the tribal court, we were told not to worship God during the time of the circumcision school," Maimele said. The case was reported to the police and the magistrate.

The parties convened on Thursday, June 20, at the Waterval Magistrate´s Court. Pastor Maimele and his elders met with five chiefs in the presence of the magistrate and police members. "The magistrate showed from the Constitution that we have freedom of religion. He decided in favour of the church," Maimele reported.

Spokesperson Chief Mbokota confirmed on June 26 that churches were now allowed to make noise. He declined to give the reasons why the chiefs initially wanted the absolute silence. He said that he did not want to speak about the tradition.

Chief Mbokota said that there were 25 initiates involved in that circumcision school which was held in the bushes for three weeks, this week being the first. "We work with the Department of Health and the Police who visit every day to look after the children," Chief Mbokota said.

Pastor Maimele said that they were surprised when the initiation school refused to allow noise, since they had never experienced this problem with the schools in the past 15 years.

"When we were allowed to worship God, it was a victory for all the churches. We have a conference running every evening with an attendance of a thousand people, of whom around 400 are young people," Maimele said. The conference with the title Open Heaven is going ahead every evening after the initial resistance by the leaders of the circumcision school. Speakers at the conference include Pastor Bernard Chimuna from Zambia, Pastor Lawrence Chidausha from Zimbabwe, Dr Elijah Mtileni of Malamulele, two speakers from Polokwane and Maimele himself. "We rejoice that we are able to function," Maimele said this week.

Earlier this month, Kgoshi Setogole Frans Makgeru led an investigation into initiation schools and circumcision practises in Limpopo. According to Limpopo News Services, Makgeru said that when traditional leaders respect the law, the traditional values and practises such as circumcision ceremonies and initiation schools will be respected by the government.