THOHOYANDOU - A pastor, who was sentenced to ten years imprisonment by the Thohoyandou High Court after he was found guilty of defrauding church members through his unregistered pyramid scheme, will appear before the church's disciplinary committee.

Dr Naleadzani Lawrence Khorommbi, the founder and Director of the Charis Missionary Church based at Makwarela, said on Friday that his junior, Reuben Maano Denga (52), will appear before the church's disciplinary committee. Denga was a pastor of the Charis Missionary Church branch based at Ha-Rabali, Dzanani for the past ten years. Charis is a branch of the main church based at Makwarela, near Sibasa.

Denga, who was earning R3 000 a month from the church, was Chief Executive Director of an organisation, called Christian Achievers Club and also the general manager of an unregistered company, Styled Perfect Investment Plan.

Between 1997 and 1998, Denga received funds to the amount of R261 000 from the thirteen church members. The scheme was run from inside the church buildings.

He promised investors that he would invest the money with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange where they will get the principal invested money together with interest after two years.

The Dzanani Police arrested Denga early this year, after he failed to pay back the invested money as promised.

On August 2, the court found him guilty and convicted him on fourteen counts of theft with false pretence. He pleaded guilty to the charges and he said he was prepared to effect restitution.

After considering that Denga was married with four kids, two of which are minors, that he was a first offender and was remorseful, Judge Takalani Joseph Ralulinga sentenced him to ten years imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for five years.

He was sentenced on condition that he must not be convicted of an offence involving dishonesty during the period of suspension, failing which he will be sentenced to imprisonment without an option of a fine.

He was also ordered to pay back the R261 5000 he defrauded from the investors by depositing it into their account. He has already paid back R60 000 by August 6.

He is supposed to pay another R60 000 to the complainants on or before September 6. From there he will pay the balance of R141 400 in eight equal installments of R17 625 each on the following dates; November 30, 2002; February 28, 2003; May 31, 2003; August 31, 2003; November 30, 2003; February 28, 2004; May 31, 2004 and August 31, 2004. All the defrauded people come from the Dzanani area.

In his comment about the allegations that the church was assisting Denga to re-pay back the money, Khorommbi said "there is no way we can help the pastor as we do not know how the money was taken from the congregates and for which purpose it was used for.

"I came to know of this scheme very late. It was already having some problems when I first knew about it. It was not a church issue, but it was operated in our church without our knowledge. As a church, we have ethical issues to look at. If we help, we will be seen as encouraging fraud. It is a tricky problem facing us as a church. It is unfortunate that people could think we could help the pastor. It is injustice to help," said Khorommbi.

Khorommbi said they were not even aware that a judgment has already been passed. However, he said Denga will appear before the DC where he will be suspended for a certain period.

"We will also sit with him and give some counseling," said Khorommbi.