JOHANNESBURG - Members of Zimbabwes Mapostori sect, popularly known for their open-air worship, have invaded South African parks, where they have stubbornly been involved in running battles with the police. While they have been largely accepted in their home country and even been embraced and honoured by President Robert Mugabe, albeit for controversial political gain, the Mapostori have so far not had the same luck in the neighbouring country.
Members of both the South African Police Service and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department have taken turns to chase the worshippers from the various parks, especially one at the Yeoville residential suburb, where Zimbabweans from Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville converge on an almost daily basis.
Sect members have been hit with baton sticks and sent scurrying for cover in the nearby bush, while their worship ground has been sprayed with chemicals to keep them at bay for at least some hours.
A spokesperson for the Johannesburg City Parks early this week said the Zimbabweans were contravening the councils by-laws by illegally converging at the parks.
It is not allowed for people to just converge at parks in such large numbers without permission because they become a risk to the environment, said the city official, who did not want to be named as he is not the official spokesperson.
There are no public toilets at the parks they choose to worship in and they end up going to the nearest bush to relieve themselves. This poses a serious health risk to the nearby residents. They also leave the place dirty after their sessions and that is what we are trying to prevent.
The official added that the other reason was based on the worshippers own safety, as there had been several cases of mugging against some members of the sect, while others have previously been shot by robbers while on all-night vigils.
However, the worshippers said that they would not leave the parks, which are the only place available for them to continue their religion.
Even when we started in Zimbabwe, it was not easy, but we soldiered on until we were accepted and that is what we will do here. We will soldier on until they allow us to worship, said Pastor Lawrence Hama.
We will also pray for the authorities to allow us to worship because this is the only religion we know and the only way we can continue it.
Post published in: News