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The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is taking Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize and President Cyril Ramaphosa to court to declare the ban on religious gatherings unconstitutional.
In March of last year, Ramaphosa announced a nationwide lockdown banning all gatherings. The ban was lifted in September and was implemented again in December, when cases began to increase.
While travel is still allowed under strict conditions and entertainment venues open with restrictions on the number of people allowed, churches remain closed.
“In all this time from March to September 2020, there has been no scientific evidence that religious or faith-based gatherings are over-broadcast events and there are no known or reported cases of churches not observing closure regulations. The events are still funerals and other gatherings.
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“It is significant that even though religious or religious persons are absolutely prohibited, gatherings in entertainment venues such as cinemas, theaters, casinos are open for attendance with certain restrictions.
“The decision to close or absolutely ban religious gatherings is based solely on discrimination for favoring business meetings and putting religious gatherings at a disadvantage, although it affirms that churches contribute to the spiritual and psychological relief of human lives. “
The ATM argues that this is unconstitutional and has submitted court documents for the restrictions to be declared as such.
The ATM wants the court to “declare irrational and invalid, and hereby nullify the decision to absolutely ban religious or faith-based gatherings. Please review the decision to ban and absolutely ban religious or faith-based gatherings under the adjusted alert level 3 of the regulations.
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The party advocates allowing religious gatherings with restrictions.
“Parts of the disaster regulations are sensible and appropriate to regulate the spread of the virus. However, there are other parties that do little, if anything, to prevent the spread of the virus. Essential services like places of worship are absolutely forbidden despite the enormous role they play in human life. Religious services are essential services, ”argues the party.
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