The Ekurhuleni District Spiritual Crime Prevention (SCP) held its closing prayer day at 3C Ministries in Alberton on October 15.

The event ran from 10:00 to 13:00 and was attended by members of the SPS, CPF, SCP, EMPD Community Safety, Correctional Services and other stakeholders.

@albertonrecordThe Ekurhuleni District Spiritual Crime Prevention (SCP) held its closing prayer day at 3C Ministries in Alberton on October 15. The event ran from 10:00 to 13:00 and was attended by members of the SPS, CPF, SCP, EMPD Community Safety, Correctional Services and other stakeholders.♬ original sound – Alberton Record

Opening and purpose of the event

The programme opened with a prayer by Pastor Mofokeng, followed by a welcome address from Alberton SAPS station commander, Colonel Olven Letloenyane. Dr Eddy Nkosi, SCP chairperson, explained the purpose of the gathering and reflected on how the initiative began.

He said that many years ago, Major General Anna Sithole came up with the idea to start an organisation that would serve as a wing of SAPS, focusing on fighting crime through prayer instead of weapons.

@albertonrecordDr Eddy Nkosi, SCP chairperson, explained the purpose of the gathering and reflected on how the initiative began. He said that many years ago, Major General Anna Sithole came up with the idea to start an organisation that would serve as a wing of SAPS, focusing on fighting crime through prayer instead of weapons.♬ original sound – Alberton Record

“I remember in 2007, Chaplain Mabelebe, who is now a captain, said normally criminals get arrested and go through the judicial process to correctional services. But all we have taken is the body to occupy that particular cell, while the mind remains functional,” Nkosi explained.

“He said for us to be successful as SAPS, we need pastors and religious fraternities. The Bible also reminds us that not all are Christians, but there are other religions among us. Together we can fight crime.”

‘Arise and pray’ message

Captain Godfrey Booysen, SAPS Chaplain, delivered a sermon based on the book of Lamentations with the theme Arise and pray.

“Beloved, many biblical scholars call Jeremiah the weeping prophet because among all the prophets, he was the only one who lamented for the nation of God and for the fall of Jerusalem,” said Booysen.

“The book of Lamentations is a collection of poetic laments mourning for the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people. In this verse, Jeremiah is calling people to cry out to the Lord in the darkest hour of the night.”

He added, “We cannot enjoy our sleep while crime is so high. It cannot be business as usual when our government is not stable. Let us come together in prayer and ask for guidance and wisdom for law enforcement, community leaders, and different entities. Let us arise together and pray for the doers of crime and those affected by crime.”

Leadership and influence

The second speaker, Bishop Jones Singini, spoke from Proverbs 1:8–9 and delivered a presentation titled Leadership is Influence. He broke down the letters in the word influence, explaining what each letter represents.

“You cannot be a leader and have no influence on people,” he said. “People need to come out and share how your influence has helped them in life. People need to have faith in you as their leader. A leader must have influence, and a leader works with followers.”

@albertonrecordBishop Jones Singini, spoke from Proverbs 1:8–9 and delivered a presentation titled Leadership is Influence. He broke down the letters in the word influence, explaining what each letter represents.♬ original sound – Alberton Record

Message from the station commander

Major General Anna Sithole, who was scheduled to deliver the keynote address, could not attend and requested Letloenyane to speak on her behalf.

Letloenyane’s message was brief but powerful: “Arise and pray, and after praying, go out and influence. When this organisation was started, some of us said this would not go anywhere, that they were just wasting their time. But everything that starts with the real cornerstone is here to stay. God’s plans are always a success,” he said.

“Spiritual Crime Prevention forms a crucial and integral part of the CPF. After discussions and assessments, it was realised that the CPF on its own, in its current form, could not conquer the challenges facing our society. There was a need to involve and call upon men and women of God.”

Prayer points and closing

The gathering included intercessory prayers covering key areas such as domestic violence, gender-based violence, marriages and families, government and state organs, SAPS members’ safety and their families, the economy and employment opportunities, matriculants, crime, corruption, drug and alcohol abuse, and trafficking. Pastor Peter Ugwu served as the master of ceremonies.