South Africans embroiled in R6m UK church probe

A group of South Africans have become embroiled in an investigation into the disappearance of R6m from the coffers of a UK church and its charity, notes a TimesLIVE report. It says a two-year investigation by the British Charity Commission into the missing funds has torn apart Rhema Church London and pitted congregants against one another. The inquiry was triggered by auditors who noticed alleged misappropriation of funds, the report notes. It says that at a meeting between the commission and congregants on Tuesday it was revealed that pastor Martin Phelps had been fired. He has until Monday to appeal against the dismissal. His wife‚ Sandy Phelps‚ who resigned as church pastor this year‚ reportedly told TimesLIVE via SMS they would appeal against the dismissal. Church accountant Jonathan Martins was also fired. The church trustees – Clemont Harry‚ Mike Myers and Lyn Fulford – were suspended and the commission appointed an interim manager‚ Keith Mills. The Phelps‚ Myers and Fulfords trained at Rhema Church South Africa in the 1980s. The Phelps‚ from Johannesburg‚ established the London church in 1991. Rhema Church South Africa CEO Giet Khosa said they were not associated with Rhema Church London.