Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has advised people not to attend church. Places of worship are to reopen from June 1, after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing of lockdown restrictions to level three. Not more than fifty people at a time are to be allowed at any place of worship, with strict conditions attached.

Malema, on Thursday, said the reopening of churches would expose attendees to infections. He said that EFF supporters should not fall for the ‘trap’ of going to church and added that they would die after contracting the coronavirus. The BBC reports Malema said, “It’s a set-up.”

The leader of the red berets said if religious leaders were concerned about the well-being of their people, they would keep places of worship shut. He claimed that restaurants had better hygiene practices than places of worship but remained closed. According to IOL, he said “Hygiene is number one at restaurants. There are inspectors hired by municipalities that inspect the compliance of restaurants.”

While some religious institutions have welcomed the president’s decision, Malema joins a chorus of others who have criticized the decision to reopen religious institutions under level 3.

Umm Muhammed Umar