Church leaders 'do not favour any party'
24 February 2009, 09:33
The South African Council of Churches (SACC) does not support any political party, even though two of its former leaders were nominated to senior positions in COPE, it said on Tuesday.
The council which is an umbrella body for Christian churches in South Africa, said it "holds no bat for any political party - including the party which our two former leaders may join".
The council's former presidents Reverend Mvume Dandala and Professor Russel Botman were elected for leadership positions in the Congress of the People.
Dandala has accepted the nomination for president, but Botman told reporters he turned his nomination down.
"I would like to continue my current role within civil society and at the university," said Botman, who is also rector of Stellenbosch University.
In a statement, current SACC president Tinyiko Maluleke was quoted as saying that while the SACC has been campaigning vigorously for South Africans to take part in the 2009 elections, it does not support any particular party "even the party to which Dandala and Botman belong to".
"We believe it is the prerogative of all South Africans and all South African Christians, to choose the political party of their choice without being led by the SACC or any church leader to do so." - Sapa
The council which is an umbrella body for Christian churches in South Africa, said it "holds no bat for any political party - including the party which our two former leaders may join".
The council's former presidents Reverend Mvume Dandala and Professor Russel Botman were elected for leadership positions in the Congress of the People.
Dandala has accepted the nomination for president, but Botman told reporters he turned his nomination down.
"I would like to continue my current role within civil society and at the university," said Botman, who is also rector of Stellenbosch University.
In a statement, current SACC president Tinyiko Maluleke was quoted as saying that while the SACC has been campaigning vigorously for South Africans to take part in the 2009 elections, it does not support any particular party "even the party to which Dandala and Botman belong to".
"We believe it is the prerogative of all South Africans and all South African Christians, to choose the political party of their choice without being led by the SACC or any church leader to do so." - Sapa
Pretoria
