DECISION PENDING: Peter Twynham must still wait for a final church board decision. Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI
Most members of church say no action necessary against tax-fraud minister
THE majority of members at a popular northern areas church have voted against internal disciplinary proceedings being instituted against its pastor, convicted in court last year of defrauding the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The Port Elizabeth High Court in February ordered the End Time Light Christian Association to vote whether or not disciplinary action should be instituted against the Rev Peter Twynham.
Twynham, 82, a father of six, was convicted in the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court in December of defrauding SARS out of R375 000 by under-declaring his income between 2004 and 2012.
He was given a slap on the wrist with a stern warning not to commit another offence.
Twynham’s sentencing was accordingly postponed for a period of five years on condition he did not commit another offence.
He was initially charged with theft totalling almost R1.4-million, but the charge was withdrawn after his lawyers made representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In addition, his moveable assets estimated at R2-million were returned to him after they were initially seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit in December 2013.
Twynham paid back the R375 000 owed to the taxman prior to his conviction, after conceding to an underdeclaration of his personal income.
However, he insisted he had at no stage acted with intent to commit fraud.
He said his taxes had been handled by church board member Quinton Isaacs.
Isaacs testified against Twynham as a Section 204 witness.
Twynham subsequently lodged a petition with the Eastern Cape judge president seeking leave to appeal against his conviction.
When the charges first came to light in December 2013, the church – previously known as the Port Elizabeth Tabernacle – in Sanctor split in two, with the majority still under Twynham.
The other group supported Isaacs at Dower College.
On Saturday, 120 registered church members met at Andrew Rabie High School to vote. All 120 voted for Twynham to face a disciplinary process.
Then, yesterday, 362 more registered members convened in Schauderville, where they all voted against disciplinary processes.
While Twynham was not present at Saturday’s meeting, Isaacs similarly did not attend yesterday’s gathering.
The findings from the two meetings will be forwarded to the church board for a final decision.
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