The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) is expected to call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to allow congregants to gather at 50% capacity when it holds a media briefing at the Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church, in Johannesburg, on Thursday morning.
Current lockdown regulations allow for 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors.
The council’s Spokesperson, Bishop Joe Mukoki says their congregants that have loved their ones during the coronavirus pandemic desperately need spiritual guidance from the church.
“We want to announce to the churches that they should really be vigilant with regulations. We are calling on the president to give us 50% capacity. Some of us have buildings that can accommodate 2000 people so – distancing is easier. Our members are losing brothers and sisters due to COVID, we have to conduct the funeral, counselling. In a church set-up, it’s easier to counsel through the word of God on a particular day,” says Mukoki.
Pastors lead a mass protest against churches closure in the Union Building:
