What are the rules when it comes to prayer meetings? Scorpion Legal Protection takes a look at a case of a Prayer meeting disturbed by police, and explains what is and what is not allowed under Alert Level 4.
In this case, the complainant’s cousin had passed away, and the family gathered for a prayer meeting. There were members of the church and the community present. According to the complainant, the police arrived at the prayer meeting and told them that the gathering was illegal and they needed to break it up. When they refused, they were arrested.
It's important to distinguish between prayer meetings and funerals here – because the current laws are very specific in what is allowed. Funerals are allowed, prayer meetings and gatherings are not. In terms of the Disaster Management Regulations 8(C) for funerals, night vigils are also not allowed, attendance at a funeral is limited to 50 people and all safety and hygiene measures must be strictly followed. Movement of people between provinces, metros and districts is still strictly controlled, and any person who wants to attend a funeral must get a permit from the nearest magistrate's office or police station to be allowed to travel to the funeral and back.
In cases where a death certificate isn’t available yet and the funeral must be held within 24 hours according to cultural and religious practices, the person requesting the permit must make a sworn affidavit and provide a letter from a cultural or religious leader confirming the need for the funeral within 24 hours.
Unfortunately for the complainant, the prayer gathering is illegal under the national state of disaster, and the police are allowed to arrest or issue “on the spot fines” to anyone who breaks the law, regardless of how many people are gathered together.
Tips:
- Prayer meetings are not allowed under the national state of disaster. Funerals are allowed, but must be held during the day, with less than 50 people in attendance.
- Anyone who wants to travel to attend a funeral must get a permit to do so.
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* This is only basic advice and cannot be relied on solely. The information is correct at the time of being sent to publishing.