ZCC cancels annual Moria mass due to coronavirus fears

The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) has called off it’s annual mass pilgrimage to Moria in Limpopo due to the spread of coronavirus. 

The church has suspended all choirs, meetings and gatherings until further notice as well as the Easter service which would have been between 10 April (Good Friday) and 12 April (Easter Sunday) this year.

The Good Friday service attracts gargantuan crowds of over four million people, and President Cyril Ramaphosa in placing the country under a state of disaster called for crowds of no more than 100 people.

ZCC: ‘Appeal to obey our instruction’

In a statement from the church, ZCC said that the event may be held at a later date.

“Writing on behalf of His Grace Bishop Bishop B.E. Lekganyane together with the council of his office,” read the statement, “We would like to let you know that from the weekend of 21 – 22 March, the church choir and (mekhukhu), that were supposed to help with the church service preparations on the weekend of 28 – 29 March 2020, along with the Sunday school members and all church singers, that they should not come to Moria until further notice.”

“We appeal that you obey our instruction and wait for further instruction from Moria. We hope that you will peacefully accept our notice.”

This comes after Limpopo recorded its first case of COVID-19, a 28-year-old doctor who travelled to Europe (France, Spain and Netherlands). The doctor is currently in self-quarantine and the department confirmed that they are in contact with him and have started the process of contact referencing to ensure the containment of the virus.

Health minister invited to church 

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize was invited to the church on Friday, and he led a delegation to address churchgoers on Tuesday, informing them of the risks associated with the mass meeting. 

Spokesperson Emanuel Motolla said that the event would be called off so as not to risk anyone’s lives. 

“Ten million members are spread across southern Africa and Europe, especially the United Kingdom which is a popular transit point for citizens of the European Union – the epicentre of the pandemic outside China.

“On average, 10 million ZCC members gather in Moria for the Easter weekend pilgrimage every year, and as a church we do not want to risk their lives or do anything that may escalate the spread of the pandemic,” Motolla said.