File
Religious leaders have appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa to “urgently intervene in the malaise” that has set in and taken root in Nelson Mandela Bay.
In an open letter on Monday, the church leaders said they represent the majority of the suffering citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay.
“While we are surrounded by death and disruption, fear, despair and economic contraction most recently caused by the merciless onslaught of Covid-19, governance in our metro has collapsed due to elected political representatives and municipal officials following their own agendas rather than focusing on the needs of the people.”
The religious leaders said sectional politics, self-interest and blatant profiteering direct the political processes.
Church leaders pointed out that the Metro was without a duly elected Executive Mayor, a full-time Municipal Manager and a number of other key appointments necessary to run a city effectively and honestly.
DA provincial leader Nqaba Bhanga’s recent election as mayor at a recent controversial special council meeting is being questioned.
“There is little local political support for the national drive to contain the spread of Covid-19,” the church leaders said, adding that they have had first-hand experience of the increasing numbers of deaths, funerals and suffering due to Covid-19.
“Our status as a hotspot is testament to the lack of attention given to the pandemic by the local governing authorities,” they said.
They said they were appealing to the President because “our attempts as community leaders to engage with the political leadership to ensure that our people experience the fruits of democracy and governance have had no impact on the rot in municipal politics.”
The NMB Church Leadership Network:
Reverend William Blaauw: Chairman EPBA (Baptist Association)
Pastor Daan Botha: Harvest Christian Church
Senior Pastor Richard Crompton: Word of Faith Christian Centre
Rev Dr Eddie Daniels: Anglican Bishop of SA (PE Diocese)
Bishop Jacob Freemantle: Methodist Church of SA (Grahamstown Synod) (Chair)
Reverend Andile George: Moderator Presbyterian Church (Central & Southern Cape)
Apostle Neville Goldman: Ebenezer International
Bishop Mvusi Gwam: Bishop Kingdom Embassy Episcopal Church
Reverend Howard Hans: Chairperson Metro SACC
Dr Bukelwa Hans: Provincial Vice President of the SACC
Pastor Mary-Rose Jacobs: Secretary NMB Religious Leaders Desk
Senior Pastor Lingelihle Jadezweni: RUCC-PE
Pastor Joan Keeling: NMB Prayer Coordinator
Bishop Mlungiseleli Koliti: Ethiopian Episcopal Church
Reverend Themba Mahuwa: Branch Secretary SACC: NMB Metro Branch
Reverend Danie Mouton: Director Synod Eastern Cape DRC
Dr Dave Pedersen: National Director Vineyard Churches SA
Pastor Richard Preston: New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI)
Pastor Russell Viljoen: Ebenezer North
Pastor Johannes Welskit: Regional Leader EC AFM
Bishop Vincent Zungu: Catholic Diocese PE
