{
  "id": 7514667,
  "title": "AFM loses bid to appeal church lockout ruling",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/afm-loses-bid-to-appeal-church-lockout-ruling",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T09:04:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/2026-09-15-afm-loses-bid-to-appeal-church-lockout-ruling/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of South Africa has lost its appeal against a court ruling that ordered it to restore possession of a building to pastors Japie and Susan La Poorta. Western Cape High Court Judge Da Silva Salie dismissed the appeal and directed the AFM and Sebastian Lucas to jointly and separately cover the costs. The lockout ruling was issued on August 21, requiring the AFM and Lucas to provide the La Poortas with all keys to Building C within 48 hours. The court's latest judgment determined the La Poortas' possession of Building C, rather than its legal entitlement to remain on the property. The appeal centered on the question of whether the La Poortas held the building as personal property, rather than merely as employees or representatives of the Susan La Poorta Children’s Home. Judge Da Silva Salie rejected their argument, noting their active involvement in managing access, security, maintenance and associated municipal services at the building. Evidence showed the couple had been responsible for pastoral duties and community projects on the premises for an extended period. The AFM's own attempts to gain access, including removing the lock without the La Poortas' consent, further undermined their argument. The court also rejected the idea that simply holding keys to an empty building equated to possession. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the AFM and Lucas were ordered to pay the associated costs.",
  "summary": "The Apostolic Faith Mission has failed to overturn a court order requiring it to return the keys to a building at the centre of its eviction fight with two Western Cape pastors.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}