Ramaphosa: Religious leaders must not discourage vaccinations through Bible verses

Ramaphosa has cautioned lawmakers against discouraging people from taking the Covid-19 vaccine, citing bible verses.

Ramaphosa answered questions in the National Assembly on Friday.

He was responding to ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe, who believes God gave his people the right to choose, including getting vaccinated against Covid-19.

“God the Almighty has given his people the right to choose, that is now being taken away through totalitarian governments around the world. A righteous and just God who wants all to be saved doesn’t force his salvation on anyone,” he said.

Ramaphosa says South Africans can’t rely on rumours that Covid-19 vaccines don't work.

“I want to call on all of us leaders, political leaders, business leaders and religious leaders to embark on a massive information drive about vaccinations.

“I want to discourage those who are talking against vaccination without real scientific evidence. We have scientific evidence that demonstrates that the vaccines work but we have no scientific evidence that demonstrates against that and in the absence of any, let us live up to being a nation that does things on the basis of science, facts and knowledge.

“I don’t think as South Africans we want to be defined as a nation that relies on rumours, those leaders like Reverend Meshoe should desist from discouraging people against from being vaccinated and claiming Bible verses."

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