BACK TO 20 MEMBERS FOR CHURCHES

LOBAMBA - Church leaders who were looking forward to having the number of congregants increased to 70 at their next services can forget it.

This comes after Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday unanimously resolved that only 20 people would be allowed as per the COVID-19 regulations at a church gathering.

The reversal of the at least 70 people allowed on a normal day of worship was made during an almost seven-hour debate held in the House of Assembly yesterday.

This was after the Minister of Home Affairs, Princess Lindiwe, had last Saturday initially stated that there would be 70 per cent capacity allowed in churches, which she later changed to 70 people.

Interestingly, a new legal notice on the Variation of Gatherings Directive, 2020 was distributed yesterday among the MPs.
The new directive, which was signed by Prime Minister (PM) Ambrose Dlamini, stated that the maximum number of people who may be part of a religious gathering on a normal day of worship shall not exceed 70.

Maximum

The new directive further stated that the maximum number of people who may be part of a funeral gathering shall not exceed 70.
However, Deputy Speaker Phila Buthelezi moved that the original Order Paper be used first before the addendum was handled.
In the addendum, the PM was expected to make a ministerial statement on the COVID-19 update.

Interestingly, both the PM and Princess Lindiwe were not in the House of Assembly yesterday, which irked the MPs who were of the view that the motion had to be addressed by the two.

The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Themba Masuku, told the House that the PM was at another assignment, but the MPs were adamant that he had deliberately avoided the sitting. The MPs took turns taking a swipe at the decision of allowing 70 people in church.

Siphofaneni MP Mduduzi Simelane said it was clear that whoever made the decision to open up the churches had capitalist interests.

“We are now selling souls, since when is the church an essential service?” wondered MP Simelane.
Motshane MP Robert Magongo submitted that he could not believe that they had been called to meet over the issue of church numbers because of one influential church which was based in Matsapha.

 “We are here discussing this because of one church where some of its pastors brag about their riches and they are just arrogant,” he said. In vernacular, he said the pastors from that church ‘badvwalile’. He said some of the pastors boasted that they would build roads and schools in the country.

His colleagues called upon him to mention the name of the church, but Magongo said it was well known which church he was talking about.

Mover of the motion Hosea MP Mduduzi Mabuza wanted to know what informed the 70 per cent capacity or 70 people per church. “Which church had they considered when they came up with this?” he asked.

MP Mabuza wanted to know how social distancing would be observed in churches like the Jericho, ZCC and others, which held services in a unique manner. Lomahasha MP Ndumiso Masimula said although it was nice to meet in church and pray together, this was not the right time to meet in large numbers.

“We will put the congregants in danger if we continue with this move,” said MP Masimula.
Ntfonjeni MP Sompisi Magagula also supported that the gathering of 20 should remain in churches.
“If we agree to this, the public would again blame us if the people are infected in church,” said Magagula.
Ndzingeni MP Lutfo Dlamini said the country was faced with a health challenge and not with religious issues. “Why do we think God needs us to think for Him. Who knows God more?” asked the Ndzingeni MP.

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