Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
30 October 2009
Johannesburg — Church leaders welcomed new government openness about HIV/AIDS and crime in South Africa during a National Church Leaders Consultation held here October 27 and promised to work together among themselves and the government.
The church leaders of South Africa enthusiastically participated in a frank and open discussion with Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, and National Commissioner of Police, Bheki Cele, where they described the meeting as honest and refreshing.
According to a statement issued at the end of the meeting, Dr Motsoaledi described HIV/AIDS as a "scourge bedeviling the nation". The minister said HIV/AIDS antenatal prevalence had approached 45 percent in some districts and mortality had also increased.
Focusing on pregnant women, child mortality and general mortality, the minister called for a new zeal in dealing with the disease.
Quoting statistics from a number of sources, he showed that South Africa needed a mass mobilization for testing, treatment rollout and prevention. He asked the Church communities to increase their efforts at building a healthier, more caring society.
Church leaders appreciated his openness and realism as a refreshing new direction from Government.
"His candour in calling HIV/AIDS a 'big monster of which everyone had some part but no one had the whole picture of' was seen as encouraging," the statement said. "I am putting my head on the block. We are going to reduce crime in South Africa," said National Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, promising that by working together, South Africans would reduce crime.
As part of a rigorous discussion, he urged church leaders to take charge of strengthening the morals and ethics of the people in their church communities.
He also urged a greater focus on the family. "Let us all say that it is good to do good everyday," the police commissioner said.
Pre-empting being questioned on the 'shoot to kill' issue, the commissioner stated that the phrase has been coined by the media and not by any official.
"What government is saying is SA police should not die in the hands of thugs, SA citizens should not die at the hands of thugs. Section 49 says 'an arrester has a right to defend the citizen and himself if under threat and has a right to use deadly force.' I will not retreat on this statement," he said.
The commissioner added, "We must take back our peace and security- the thugs must be made to fear the law- the situation in our country is abnormal and this calls for abnormal responses. I will not kiss anyone."
The National Church Leaders consultation takes place twice a year and involves most of the heads of Christian denominations and Church leaders in South Africa. The consultation is a discussion forum on matters affecting the South African community.
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