By Correspondent
A Bulawayo City Council report has recommended an extensive campaign against apostolic sects (Mapostori) operating on open spaces.
Recent Full Council minutes state that the recommendations are from a month-long study of the religion.
BCC conducted the study in April and May to understand the nature and extent of open space worship in Bulawayo.
“It was recommended that apostolic churches desist from mounting flags, tents, clothes, banners, and scary artefacts such as knives in the environment.
“This is against the local culture of Bulawayo residents.
“These items should be removed forthwith to maintain social harmony,” the report stated.
Other practices of the apostolic sects flagged in the report include the lighting of fires.
Mapostori usually light huge bonfires at their evening or night services.
Council says the practice contributes to wild fires.
The report has also recommended the prohibition of planting of alien trees without authority.
Those that are planted will be removed.
The report went on to call for the removal of all rituals and related paraphernalia from council land.
All those found to be going against the new Council statutes will be fined under the relevant by-laws.
Most apostolic sects don’t build church buildings preferring to worship in the open.
This, they allege, is in line with their religious beliefs.
