‘DEFIANT’ CONGREGANTS DISPERSED

By ROGERS KALERO HUNDREDS of congregants from Shepard Bushiri’s Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church were yesterday dispersed by the officers from the Kitwe City Council (KCC) after the service went beyond one hour. Additionally, the local authority had since written to the church to show cause why it cannot be prosecuted for endangering the lives of the congregants. The church has abrogated COVID-19 guidelines ECG is owned by self-styled and controversial prophet Bushiri, situated in Nkana East residential on Kantanta street. Kitwe Town Clerk Mbulo Seke said his officers dispersed the congregants after some residents in the area complained that the church service had gone beyond one hour as stipulated in the COVID 19 guidelines. “The church has been asked to show cause why it cannot be prosecuted for endangering the lives of the congregants by not adhering to the Ministry of Health guidelines of COVID 19,’’ Mr Seke said Mr Seke advised other churches to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines to reduce the spread of the pandemic and possibly saving people’s lives. “We expect the church to lead the way in adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines so that it sets a good example to society .The COVID-19 is deadly and so it is important that we work together in fighting it through following guidelines,’’ he said.