Pretoria - Churches must self-regulate to counter harmful religious practices, says Gauteng Premier David Makhura.
“Like many of you, I am deeply concerned by the conduct of some religious leaders who feed on the vulnerability of the children of God who face many difficulties in their daily lives.
“We have seen an increase in people drinking petrol, eating rats or snakes whilst others rape congregants or confess to practicing witchcraft. Together let us find lasting solutions to these scourges,” Premier Makhura said on Tuesday.
He was speaking at the Gauteng Faith Based Organisation (FBO) Summit which was held at the Turffontein Racecourse in Johannesburg.
The summit, convened since Monday, was held in partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government and the FBO sector to forge religious tolerance and moral regeneration.
It was graced by more than 600 delegates from a wide spectrum of the religious fraternity, including the Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and traditional healing faiths.
Premier Makhura said government wanted to build a socially cohesion society that is appreciative of each other's values.
Diversity should become our heritage, he said, adding that faith-based organisations have a critical role to play in the many economic perils and complex social ills facing the country.
“Each one of us must be our brother’s keeper, FBOs must insist on building a society that is free of corruption and fraud. If we do wrong things don’t smile with us, if you cannot tell us we are wrong, then who else will. Together, we must fight against the murder of women, children and the elderly in our communities. Together, we must join hands to take care of the elderly in our society,” he said.
Premier Makhura also dismissed reports that government wants to scrap Good Friday and the Easter holidays.
The summit adopted a declaration that commit FBOs to working together with the Gauteng Provincial Government in implementing programmes adopted at the summit. - SAnews.gov.za
