Pastors frustrated by the closure of churches say the government is anti-Christ for not allowing them to worship.
Yesterday more than 50 members of the Pastors Against Church Closure group gathered on the Mew Way bridge in Khayelitsha, before embarking on a convoy around the township to try and win over Christians hungry for the word of God.
This march took place a week after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the country would be moving to Level 4 of the lockdown because of the spike in Covid-19 infections.
Among the regulations is the banning of all mass gatherings.
Apostle Siniko Nxesi says they are calling for the opening of churches and are prepared to keep on protesting until their demand is met.
He says the motorcade is a “soft engagement” as they await word from the government.
“We are not afraid to open churches, we are not afraid to defy,” says Nxesi.
“In South Africa for the first time, they have criminalised worship. If you gather in peace as a God-loving person, you are viewed as a criminal, that is an anti-Christ and anti-church stance.
“We have written letters many times and we have called them, they have shown no interest in engaging with us.”
Nxesi says other sectors are allowed to operate at full capacity but the kerk is completely closed.
“We are treated differently from other sectors, we were never allowed to open with 50% capacity in our establishments and now we demand that.
“We believe that it’s unconstitutional, we even argue that it’s irrational because the factories are open.
“The reasons given (for the closure) are based on science that the virus is spreading, we believe that the churches are much safer than being in a factory or public transportation.
“The other places which are operating are open all week long and some for five days, and churches are just for a day and take up two hours.”
Apostle Nxesi says they understand how the virus spreads and will practise the necessary Covid protocols.
“We know the procedure and we have been obedient, hence we don’t have any cases which are linked to any church.
“It is unscientific to believe that the church is a super spreader.”