A police officer in South
Africa has been hailed online, after being spotted in a viral video praying
before arresting a pastor who defied a lockdown order issued by the South
African government.
The pastor was arrested for
holding a church gathering when mass gatherings have been prohibited during the
lockdown, which took effect from midnight on Thursday, March 26.
The policeman who first
outlined why the pastor has to be arrested, also rebuked him for disobeying
South African and global laws and “misleading God’s children”. He then went on
to say a short prayer before saying the police will be arresting the pastor in
the name of the “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”.
Police spokesperson, Brig
Vishnu Naidoo confirmed the incident and he said it occurred in Phumulani
community of Alberton on Sunday afternoon. Naidoo said the police responded to
a tip-off about a church service under way, and they met the Pastor preaching
to the congregation.
He said;
“THE PASTOR REQUESTED TO
PRAY FOR OUR MEMBERS BEFORE THEY ARRESTED HIM. INSTEAD, THE SERGEANT DECIDED TO
SAY HIS OWN PRAYER BEFORE ARRESTING THE PASTOR. THE PASTOR WAS THEN ARRESTED
AND TAKEN TO THE [ALBERTON] POLICE STATION WHERE A CASE DOCKET WAS OPENED.
“HE WAS CHARGED WITH
CONTRAVENING THE REGULATIONS AND WAS LATER RELEASED AND WARNED TO APPEAR IN THE
GERMISTON MAGISTRATE’S COURT ON JULY 3 2020.”
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