Prayer meeting to discourage xenophobia held in UCCSA

Deacon Louwie Shaba of United Congregational Church of Southern African (UCCSA) in Vosloorus said his church was badly affected by xenophobia break out that started in the township on September 2 and September 3.

He said this during the prayer meeting held in the church on Sunday, September 22, men in blue from Vosloorus Police Station were invited and represented by Themba Denge, the station commander.

Denge delivered a speech explaining xenophobia and also talked about gender-based violence.

“People say a lot of negative things about foreign nationals. Saying that they do not need foreign nationals in the country. What I have noticed as we are having meetings with ward councillors trying to resolve the situation is that more than 90 per cent of people needs foreigners in the country.

“What I can say is that what has been happening on September 2 and September 3 is not xenophobia. It is a crime. We have people behind bars who were arrested committing the crime in the township during those two days,” said Denge.

Denge said what has been happening is bad and it affects our economy as some of these people are here legally and paying tax. While others are selling stock which they order from our big manufactures.

He discouraged those foreign nationals who are selling fake and expired products.

Shaba said UCCSA is affected because have branches all over Southern Africa including countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia.

“Some of the foreign nationals are attending our church because they know of the relationship we have with their respective countries. Now that there is this situation, how are we going to attend conferences in these countries if we mistreat our brothers from other countries like this,” said Shaba.

The congregants held a special prayer intending to discourage xenophobia pleading with the Almighty God to intervene and help to congregants in the fight.