The International Pentecostal Holiness Church has blessed group marriages, which are common in some African communities, and the church says this is permitted by the Bible.
Mass wedding in South Africa. Photo: Reuters
Mass church weddings take place three times a year, at Easter, in December, and during the church's founding anniversary in September.
"It was a special day, I was so happy. I was really happy to be part of this grand wedding. It was a great feeling," said Lebogile Mamamatela, 38, after the ceremony.
Her new husband, Roto Mahluku, 40, married his first wife, Ditopa Mahluku, 16 years ago. They have three children. His first wife, Ditopa, 37, was also very supportive of the wedding.
The celebrations come after a series of disputes over the legitimacy of the church, which has more than 3 million members and is one of the largest congregations in South Africa.
The church's leader, Glayton Modise, died in 2016, sparking a power struggle between his three children.
In 2020, five people were killed in a shooting at another church congregation, but a court last year dismissed the case against 42 defendants.
Security was tight at Sunday's ceremony, with armed guards and metal detectors used to screen attendees.
Trung Kien (according to Reuters)
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