SOUTH AFRICA – Durban-based businessman, pastor and traditional healer Bhongolethu Mzozo has started a pub.

This has created confusion among his members who are wondering if the pastor is real man of God.

According one of his followers Lucas Ngobese, he said what confuses him is that at church Dr Khehlelezi preaches from the Bible, encouraging peace and sticking to one’s partner.

“They fight, they go after women, they speed in their cars and they die, it is a known fact that when people are drunk, they go against everything the Bible teaches, the Bible doesn’t encourage a lot of drinking. It says drink but don’t get drunk,” he said.

Another follower vowed not to go to his church again since he said it is a disgrace.

I’ve been attending his church but I don’t think I will be attending again, what he preaches is very much against what will happen at the pub. I don’t want to be part of it” said Lucas,” Another follower, Zinhle Khoza said.

But some community members and other followers did not see initiative as evil saying it has its benefits to the society including offering employment to the people.

According to Thabani Sibeko, the pastor is trying to do something that will benefit the community, especially the youth.

“He is creating employment. He has already requested people who need jobs to email their CVs. I’ve emailed mine and I’m hoping that I will be accepted.” He said those are jobs that were not there before and he thanked Dr Khehlelezi that he might be employed soon. “I like what he has done. It shows that he cares for the people,” he said.

Another person also supported pastor’s idea by saying that it will ensure that their society is recognised.

“It will put our area on the map. We always hear of big pubs everywhere else that invite celebrities but we never see them in our area. “This is our chance to see celebrities when they come to the pub, i am a professional chef. I will use this opportunity to sell my food in my mobile kitchen near his pub. At least I will also make some money” ” she said.

In one of his videos on Facebook, Dr Khehlelezi promised to introduce Konka in Durban. He promised fun and entertainment at his event venue called Mzo Lifestyle and it will accommodate everyone, “according to the thickness of their wallets”.

Pastor Khahlelezi has asked why people are not happy with the initiative saying “how can you ask why I preach and sell alcohol? I’m not the one who will be drinking. I’m only running a business.”

He said the place would be opened for business from next month as builders were still busy with the interior. “I don’t want to see other people feeling left out. I decided to open this place with the aim to bring something different to Verulam,” he said.

“We have already organised an opening event which would be held for 17 December where famous artists will be entertaining the people. This will be an unforgettable event.”