Well-known broadcaster-turned-cleric Pastor Ike Dagada, who is also the founder of the ever-growing Christ Worship House Church and a gospel sensation, has come under fire from a Shayandima man who claims the much-respected church man owes him money.

Tshimangadzo Eric Mabilu owes the Thulamela municipality an amount of R118 533.36 for services. He says he sold a site at Shayandima for R142 000 and Dagada has reneged on the agreement after paying only R20 000.

According to Mabilu, the agreement was that since he owed Thulamela Municipality an amount of R74 000 for services, Dagada had to settle that amount after paying the deposit of R20 000 and thereafter payments had to be made in instalments.

“But our man of the cloth never honoured it. After paying R20 000, he disappeared and when I pursued him, he said he was no longer interested in the property,” said Mabilu. He said that by that time Dagada was in possession of the deed of grant for the site.

Mabilu said when he demanded the deed of grant to be changed back to his name, Dagada said he had lost it, but would arrange that with a lawyer, which he had not done.

A week ago, Mabilu caused a stir when he used his truck to block the entrance to Dagada’s house in Shayandima. The truck was finally removed when Dagada contacted the police. Police at the scene said they were not going to press any charges against anyone since they were there to bring about peace. They talked to Mabilu and told him it was unlawful to block someone’s property with a truck.

“It shows that our police serve powerful people with money,” said Mabilu. “I have gone to the police station on several occasions to state my case, but nobody has bothered to take me seriously,” he said.

Dagada confirmed that he had agreed to buy a site from Mabilu. “I had big plans for the site as I wanted to extend my business empire. I had earmarked a butchery and a bakery at the site,” added Dagada. He said after paying R20 000, he went to the municipality to settle the bills for services, but was scared off when he found that the bills were now exceeding R100 000.

“I am not someone who would like other people to feel wronged by me. I told him to keep the R20 000 as a donation and sell the site to someone else,” said Dagada. He said it was true that he had lost the deed of grant, but said he offered to sort it out with Mabilu in a short space of time. “If he says he had paid part of the services and the only ones that had not been settled were caused by me, then I will pay it,” said pastor Dagada. He said he did not want to offend anyone and felt that he and Mabilu should solve the issue amicably.

Dagada has since offered a hand of friendship to Mabilu, offering to go with him to Gauteng to apply for a new title deed, all at his (Dagada’s) expense, but Mabilu stood his ground and wanted only his deed of grant or the outstanding money. “I am a man of peace and I do not wish to offend anybody. I live what I preach: love,” said Dagada.

At the time of going to press, no solution had been reached.