A 43- year-old pastor told his congregants not be afraid of
"lightning" when the police were arresting them for allegedly violating
lockdown regulations on Sunday.
The police in Bolobedu, Limpopo, pounced on the group while
holding a church service in a shack situated in the backyard at Koope village
outside Modjadjiskloof.
In a video clip captured during the arrest of the Apostolic
Church pastor and his wife, together with eight more church members, the man of
cloth faced the police and told them (church members) not to be frightened.
There is lightning on this earth, don't be afraid," he said while holding
his stick and dressed in a white garment.
The video further showed at least seven minors attending
the church proceedings, but they were released during the arrest. National
police spokesperson Brig Vish Naidoo didn't respond to questions before going
to print on Monday.
According to a 63-year old pastor' sister, she was worried
that the couple left behind a six-year old child and she has been trying to get
hold of the parents without success. "I'm worried because the child has
been asking me when the parents will be coming back home. It is difficult for
me to feed her and other grandchildren because I have no money to buy
food," she said.
The sister also defended the pastor, citing that the
congregants didn't exceed the required number of 50 people allowed to gather
during lockdown. "I was in the neighbourhood when I saw police vehicles at
my brother 's place. When I arrived the police where busy loading them in a van
but my brother requested some time to assist a pregnant woman who came for
spiritual help," she said. Sowetan
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