Kenneth Meshoe / Image: TheSouthAfrican
ACDP: ‘We’re not anti-vaxxers,’ says Meshoe at manifesto launch
Launching the ACDP Manifesto in Johannesburg, Rev. Kenneth Meshoe says mandatory vaccines are a new form of apartheid
Kenneth Meshoe / Image: TheSouthAfrican
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) insists it isn’t a party of anti-vaxxers – a label it earned after its leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe made some comments about the COVID-19, including that he himself will not be lining up to be jabbed because he comes from a family that didn’t believe in vaccines.
Launching the ACDP manifesto in Johannesburg on Saturday, 2 October 2021, Meshoe moved to clarify the party’s stance, saying while they are not against vaccines, they do take issue with the jabs being made mandatory.
ACDP: Vaccines should not be mandatory
Rev. Kenneth Meshoe told ACDP supporters at the manifesto launch that God has given people free will and thus people who want to be vaccinated should do so, but those who choose not to be jabbed, should not be forced.
“If governments are forcing people [to get the vaccine] then they are playing God. They are doing something that God himself does not do… This is tyranny. In case I am misunderstood, the ACDP, those who are saying we are anti-vaxxers are wrong. We are not. What we are against is force,” Meshoe said.
It comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa announced recently that vaccination certificates would soon be rolled out.
“The Department of Health should be rolling out a vaccination certificate which will provide a secure and a verifiable proof of vaccination certificate which can be used to facilitate travel to access establishments and gatherings and other forms of activity that require proof of vaccination,” Ramaphosa said.
Meshoe said making vaccines mandatory would be a form of apartheid and says the ACDP is collaborating with various organisations to protect the rights of those who don’t want to be vaccinated.
