South Africa: massive Easter pilgrimage cancelled

An Easter pilgrimage hosted by the Zion Christ Church (ZCC) - the biggest annual event in South Africa - has been cancelled because of coronavirus. 

The celebration in Moria in Limpopo province typically attracts millions of pilgrims each year, who come from across southern Africa.

According to ZCC spokesperson Emanuel Motolla Motolla, the event sees an average of 10 million ZCC members gather over the Easter weekend. 

He stated that in light of the current outbreak however, it was necessary to cancel the event to curb the spread of the virus.  

“As a church we do not want to risk their lives or do anything that may escalate the spread of the pandemic”, he said. 

He added that the church would also be ensuring that all its other services complied with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decree for gatherings not to exceed 100 people. 

South Africa has so far recorded 116 cases of the coronavirus, which has now begun to spread internally within the country from infected persons who picked it up while abroad. 

Photo: Getty Images