Mthwakazi ups campaign against apostolic sects

The Mthwakazi Republic Party has intensified its clean-up campaigns targeting Apostolic sects' open air churches operating in the bushes.

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has also been conducting raids on the churches accusing them of polluting the environment as the majority do not have ablution facilities. On April 24, the MRP targeted the churches operating between Barbourfields, Nkulumane and Entumbane bushes. They confiscated ritual items that included knives, mud pots, bottles and people's undergarments.

According to the pressure group, the churches are to blame for the poor rains, and invited bad omens to the region. MRP activist Sithabile Luphahla said the clean-up campaign was ongoing.

"What is happening in our bushes is painful," Luphahla said.

Another activist Lwazi Khanye said some of the churches were practising disturbing customs.

"So we wonder if these people are conducting church or they are just Tsikamutandas," Khanye said. "What is worrying us is that in the traditional healers register, these people are not there. They are not registered as churches as well."