THE police have arrested two church leaders of the Johanne Masowe apostolic sect in Chitungwiza for violating Covid-19 regulations by conducting a church service at an open space in Zengeza.
This comes as the country is currently under level 4 lockdown which has banned public gatherings, including churches, while only allowing a maximum of 30 mourners at funerals.
“On July 23 police in Chitungwiza arrested Clayton Makavi, 35 and Tendai Zhakata, 30 for leading a Johanne Masowe church service at an open space in Zengeza 5 Extension, Chitungwiza with approximately 23 members comprising men and women,” the police said yesterday.
The police also issued a warning against the public for disregarding the Covid-19 regulations.
The police recently came under fire for failing to disperse thousands of Johane Marange apostolic sect worshippers, who were gathered in Mafararikwa Village, Marange.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights wrote to the commissioner general of police Godwin Matanga, Home affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga, raising concern over the gathering, which it said was a potential super spreader of the Covid-19 virus.
Covid-19 new infections and deaths continue to rise in the country, with complacency among the citizenry being cited as a contributing factor to the increase.
Gatherings at pubs, markets, shopping centres and public transport ranks continue to be witnessed with citizens flouting Covid-19-related regulations, which demand the proper wearing of masks, social distancing and regular washing of hands.
The government is currently on a massive vaccination drive aimed at inoculating 10 million people to reach herd immunity by December.
