The Pretoria High Court is grappling with a bitter family feud, pitting a couple against their two sons, who are allegedly being manipulated by a controversial pastor to donate millions of rands to his church.
Tar and Susan Eloff, the parents, are seeking a court order to prevent their sons, Jaco and Johan, from further transferring assets from the family trust to Pastor Xandré Strydom of the charismatic church Christ in Me International Collective in Pretoria.
The Eloffs, who built their wealth through numerous businesses in South Africa and Botswana, claim that Strydom has exerted undue influence over their sons, convincing them to hand over millions of rands, including the proceeds from the sale of a herd of goats and a luxury holiday home.
“Whatever Xandré tells Jaco and Johan to do, it is as if it comes from God himself. They feel it is a small price to pay to fulfil God’s will,” Tar states in an affidavit.
The family's once-close bond has been shattered by the sons' involvement with the church. Tar and Susan, who have since left the congregation, allege that their sons have cut off all communication with them, denying them access to their grandchildren and even voting against them having access to the family trust's bank account.
“We have not spoken to or seen them for more than two years,” says Tar.
Susan, visibly emotional during the court proceedings, echoed her husband's sentiments, stating: “It is very difficult and sad for us that my sons have written us off and are withholding our grandchildren from us. I haven’t been called ‘mom’ in two years.”
The Eloffs' accusations against Strydom are serious. They claim that he is using their sons to enrich himself and his church, driving around in a new Lexus SUV purchased with money from their businesses. Tar is particularly incensed by the fact that his sons, who have never started a business or donated any assets to the family trust, are now attempting to hijack the trust in favour of the church.
“It’s fine what you do with your own money, but leave my businesses and my money out of it and don’t dictate to me what I can do with it,” Tar insists.
The Eloffs' allegations paint a disturbing picture of a church that appears to be exploiting its members for financial gain. They claim that their sons were pressured to sell their holiday home in Glentana near George for R7 million to help Jaco, who was facing jail time due to an overdue tax debt.
“Jaco and Xandré told me that congregation members are not obligated to pay taxes. God told them to use the tax money to improve the lives of the church’s staff and congregation members,” Tar says.
However, when the Eloffs requested proof of payment to the South African Revenue Service, their sons refused, claiming it was “church business” and none of their concern. The Eloffs later discovered that thousands of rands from the sale proceeds were transferred to the church and a business it runs.
The Eloffs also allege that millions of rands were moved around in companies belonging to the trust without their knowledge, and that their battery company and quarry were transferred to the church's enterprise without their consent.
“According to Strydom, God spoke to him and told him that Johan was not a farmer. He said the movable assets of the farm should be sold and another church member should be appointed as the new farm manager,” Tar claims.
Jaco and Johan, in their court documents, counter that their parents are abusing the family trust to promote their “personal agendas” and are not acting in the best interests of the beneficiaries. They also claim that their parents exaggerate the trust’s assets and that the breach of trust between them hinders the administration of the trust.
Strydom, while not a party to the court proceedings, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he pays his taxes and would not comment on a case in which he could be a potential witness.
This case is not the first time former members have accused the Christ in Me church of pressuring people to give up their assets. In 2021, ex-members told Rapport that they transferred shares, businesses and all their savings to a trust in which the church was the sole beneficiary.
The publication also reported that Strydom's salary increased from R10 000 a month to R163 000 in 2020, and that the church reportedly lost nearly R18 million in 2016 and 2017, which it had invested in the QSG Ponzi scheme.
Strydom was in the news again in March this year when he appeared with former president Jacob Zuma at the so-called leadership summit of alleged Ponzi boss Louis Liebenberg. He also officiated at Liebenberg's wedding in 2022, where he was praised for his “reconciliation work”.
Strydom's disciples proclaim that he is sent by God and that mainstream churches that believe in a triune God are confused.
“There is only ‘one God’,” says Strydom.
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