Financial dispute divides Joyous Celebration directors

A serious internal dispute has erupted among the directors of South Africa’s renowned gospel group, Joyous Celebration. Co-founder Lindelani Mkhize is locked in a bitter legal battle with fellow partners Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba over allegations of financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency in the group’s operations. Hlongwane and Namba accuse Mkhize of failing to account for company funds, a problem they say led to a R1 million tax liability with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in 2024. They claim Mkhize directed event revenues and sponsorship money into his own accounts or those of businesses he controls, and allegedly used over R1 million for personal travel and car hire. The dispute also involves a contested R300,000 loan supposedly taken by Mkhize for his own entity which was never repaid, as well as concerns over undisclosed handling of major sponsorships and sales of company properties.

Mkhize vigorously denies the accusations, countering that Hlongwane blocked his access to financial records and acted alone in managing funds. He also alleges that group money was diverted into a private account labelled “office caddy,” and that decisions regarding property sales were made without his consent. The matter has now reached regulatory authorities, with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission recommending it be resolved through an alternative dispute resolution process before the Companies Tribunal. The fallout reveals deep strains within one of South Africa’s most celebrated gospel outfits, raising questions about accountability and governance in the local music industry.