“You must wear your face masks throughout the service, distance yourselves from one another, sanitise yourselves and the equipment, including the mics every 30 minutes during the service, to make sure you are protected from this deadly virus, as it kills,” he said.

“We have lost so many people due to negligence and arrogance. This disease kills. I know of a family who lost four members within one week due to this pandemic. I emphasise that you must always be protected.”

Malele was speaking during the third anniversary celebration of one of his branch churches in Msholozi outside White River on Saturday.

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He begged the local ward councillor, Kenneth Mkhonta, to persuade government leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, not to close churches during the December holidays as they were following Covid-19 regulations.

The event was graced by the presence of a number of pastors from other churches as well as community representatives. Mkhonta thanked the congregants for taking part in the recently held local government elections.

“Because of your prayers and votes, I am today marking a third term in office as we celebrate your third anniversary. I am not sure if this is by coincidence or by God’s design that I attend today. The government thanks you for your participation in the elections and we promise to do better in delivering services to the community. Government has heard the people’s concerns raised during the elections campaign, and we are ready to respond and deliver as expected,” Mkhonta said to the applause of church members.