POLICE in Mpika District of Muchinga Province are holding in custody 12 Pentecostal Holiness Association congregants for going against the government’s directive on church gatherings in view of COVID-19.
Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Joel Njase confirmed that Geoffrey Silwamba 42, who pastors Pentecostal Holiness Association in Mpika was found congregating with close to 100 church members around 10:00 hours yesterday.
This is the second time the church is holding services after the directive that no such gatherings are to take place.
Engineer Njase said that the 12 have been arrested for contravening Statutory Instrument No. 21 and 22.
The Commissioner has since advised community members to comply with the measures Government has put in place.