Source: Churches defy govt ban on public gatherings – DailyNews Live
Nokuthaba Nkomo 24 September 2018
HARARE – Several churches in Harare yesterday defied a government ban on
public gatherings and continued worshiping in the face of a stepped-up
campaign to prevent the spread of cholera.
This comes after police issued a ban on all public gatherings and illegal
food vending to control the spread of cholera, which has killed over 30
people in the capital, Harare.
Police spokesperson assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday declined
to comment why the ban was not being enforced on churches, referring the
matter to Harare City Council (HCC), saying ZRP had concluded the issue
already.
HCC corporate communications manager Michael Chideme also declined to
comment.
“If you know that the police banned public gatherings, contact the police
and not council,” Chideme told the Daily News.
This comes as police have been brutally bashing street vendors in the
Harare CBD as a way of enforcing the ban.
Nyathi last week advised that churches were also included in the ban, but
those wishing to hold public meetings should get clearance from health
inspectors or police.
Various churches, however, without police clearance, proceeded with their
Sunday services.
A snap survey conducted by the Daily News crew showed that churches which
proceeded with their normal Sunday services include Walter Magaya’s
Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD), Emmanuel Makandiwa’s
United Family International Church and Johanne Masowe Yechishanu among
others.
Speaking to the Daily News crew yesterday, Johanne Masowe Yechishanhu
elder Philip Makasu said his sect adheres to laws and regulations
formulated by authorities but when it comes to conducting their services,
they only take orders from the Holy Spirit.
“Our services are structured in such a way that we only listen to the
command of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. If God doesn’t tell us to stop
our services, then we do not,” Makasu told the Daily News.
He claimed that amid this cholera outbreak, their church members prayed
and received blessings against diseases from the Holy ghost, and were
religiously immunised from cholera.
Cholera itself causes diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to severe
dehydration.
It can kill quickly but is treated easily through rehydration and
antibiotics.
It is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria transmitted through
contaminated water or food.
The source of contamination is usually faeces of infected people.
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