In an address to a prayer service congregation at Alleluia Ministries in Sandton, Johannesburg, South African Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko challenged religious leaders in to do their part to end justification of unethical and even illegal acts in the name of religion.
At the January 22 event, Minister Nhleko called on people of religion to speak out on human rights abuses and crime in their communities—that silence is not in the interest of righteousness and society in general, iAfrica.com reported.
Mr. Nhleko further stated: “When we are silent about human rights abuses and the breaking of the law in our centres of worship, we are not advancing righteousness and the attainment of a socially cohesive society.”
“Under no circumstances should we use the name of God, Allah, Qamatha, Mvelinqangi, Buddha, Moses, Jesus or any other prophet of God to commit acts that infringe on the rights of others and have the net result of constituting acts of injustice and even criminality,” he said. “Under no circumstances should we abuse our women, children, the elderly, and the physically weak, foreign nationals and those we employ or manage using the name of God,” according to AllAfrica.com.
In addition to his address, Mr. Nhleko received recognition from the Ministries of the men and women of the South African Police Service [SAPS] for their efforts to bring peace to communities.
“What we do in the SAPS is principally rooted in the Constitution but also in the belief that at the end we all account to a Supreme Being,” he added. “It is by no means a perfect institution, but one that strives to do right every time.”
