Clive Thabo Dube
The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has waded into the pollution and litter debate by controversially pointing a finger at independent African churches who worship in the open and are also known as ‘Bush Churches’.
BPRA chairman, Ambrose Sibindi said the city council was treating the ‘Vapostori’ with kidgloves adding that turning a blind eye on these sects will soon cause an environmental crisis.
“We are very much worried because the city fathers are not enforcing their bylaws as they are allowing these so called ‘Madzibaba’ churches to hold their services in places where there is no sanitary facilities.” Sibindi said during a Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry on Thursday in Bulawayo.
“The holy Bible says ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’ but these churches hold their services where there is no water and if you observe they practice all sorts of crimes against the environment that include littering and defecating in bushes.” The BPRA Chairman also said.
A representative of Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) who also attended the indaba, Reverend Lizwe Mudenda in response acknowledged the problem posed by these bush churches to the environment. He promised to engage these churches through some common groupings in which religious leaders interact in.
“It is unfortunate that churches differ in doctrines. Most of the ZCC members worship indoors and through the city council have over the years been allocated land by the local governance to build churches on. These churches you see operating in the bushes, follow a doctrine that advances a belief in the righteousness of outdoor worship.” Mudenda said.