The South African Council of Churches has asked the government for Covid-19 financial relief and for payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) for their employees.

The body – a grouping of mainline Protestant denominations – held a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and some of his ministers last week to raise their concerns.

Churches were losing money, as their congregations were not in a position to make contributions, but many of their expenses – such as servicing bonds and paying municipal bills – still needed to be paid.

Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, the body’s general secretary told the media: ‘We don’t have the money at this time. We are making a case to share in the relief fund, and some kind of relief for those churches with people in their employ, they can go to UIF for this relief.’

He added that the church, by virtue of its presence throughout society, was well placed to assist in providing assistance to communities in need.

‘We should consider a direct partnership with the state. This should be carefully done so that both we and the state can properly account for money spent. We could also become centres for the collection and distribution of food under strict conditions to guarantee the safety of volunteers,’ he said.