Controversial Durban pastor arrested for breaking lockdown rules

A Durban pastor who had vowed to contravene lockdown regulations by gathering a flock of his supporters has been arrested after leaving his house to pray on a mountain. 

Bishop Bheki Ngcobo, the controversial man who had pledged to defy the nationwide lockdown and proclaimed that President Cyril Ramaphosa “is not God”, was arrested on Saturday in Bluff, outside of Durban, having left his home and head for the hills. 

Social media charge added to arrest sheet

Ngcobo had said that his supporters – of which there are scores – should be empowered by his call to gather for an Easter pilgrimage and pray for COVID-19 to end. 

“Ramaphosa is not God. We are God’s army, so we are going to Easter pilgrimage to fight this thing together. We will use them to pray for the end of coronavirus. God says that, ‘if my people humble themselves and seek my face, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins’.”

It appears that these calls have now landed him in further trouble, with a further charge of spreading fake news added to his arrest sheet. 

Police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said that he had been charged with contravening the Disaster Management Act, as well as inciting supporters to defy the regulations on social media. 

“[Ngcobo has been charged with contravention of Section 27(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act], as well as a charge pertaining to any person who publishes any statement through any medium including social media with the intention to deceive any other person about any measure taken by the Government to address COVID-19”.

Released on bail  

The pastor, who is known to be affiliated with former President Jacob Zuma having organised several protests against the claims of corruption made against him, is also a founding leader of a new political party, the African Freedom Revolution (AFR)

Ngcobo was released on bail of R3 000 on Sunday and is expected to appear in court on May 8.