Home News Pastors to vote for party that ‘fights for land’

Pastors to vote for party that ‘fights for land’

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The general secretary of the Provincial Churches Leaders Organisation, David Setilo, said pastors would vote for a party that would champion land rights. Picture: Soraya Crowie

Members from the Provincial Churches Leaders Organisation in the Northern Cape have threatened not to vote for the ANC on November 1 if they are not provided with land for their churches.

MEMBERS from the Provincial Churches Leaders Organisation in the Northern Cape have threatened not to vote for the ANC on November 1 if they are not provided with land for their churches.

The general secretary of the Provincial Churches Leaders Organisation, David Setilo, pointed out yesterday that they had written several letters to Sol Plaatje Municipality requesting that their churches be provided with land for their congregants to attend religious services.

“We haven’t received any response and the time has come for us to withhold our votes from the ruling party during the local government elections. We have advised our members that they should occupy land that they have identified to hold their church services,” said Setilo.

He added that pastors wanted to vote for a party that would champion their fight for land.

“Our pastors believe that they are only considered good enough when their votes are needed by the ruling party, but when they request church sites from the very same government they voted for, they are rejected or denied. So now they will change their vote to another party. There is only one party that fights for land.”

Setilo noted that several attempts to set up meetings with stakeholders, including the Sol Plaatje spelum committee, had failed.

“Up until today, we are being sent from pillar to post and nothing has happened. Land is only allocated to people they favour. Now new councillors are coming in. Existing councillors should hand over all land as promised before they step down.

“As soon as we have voted for our new party that we love, we are going to occupy the land.”

He said that a meeting would be held at Bishop Steven Buffell’s church in Phuthanang on Sunday, October 24, at 2pm, to discuss further plans of action.

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Sello Matsie said each application for land was considered on its merits.

“We receive on average 300 applications for land, per day. Available municipal land for new churches as well as housing is limited. Council is guided by the Constitution of the Republic when it processes, decides and allocates applications,” said Matsie.

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