KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has called for the arrest of those who are encouraging the faith-based community of KwaMaphumulo to abandon their antiretroviral treatment, calling it tantamount to a genocide. Simelane was speaking at the UCCSA Easter in uMzinyathi, in Inanda, Durban on Friday.
Image: TUMI PAKKIES Independent Newspapers
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has warned a religious community in KwaMaphumulo against abandoning life-saving HIV medication following Sunday Tribune's last week's stories and has called for the arrest of whoever is encouraging the followers to abandon their antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
The allegations centre on a group based at a secluded settlement known as iKhaya Labafundi (loosely translated to Home of the Disciples) in Dabangu village, in KwaMaphumulo and led by Reverend Vusumuzi Sibiya. Some members of the community have reportedly left their jobs, businesses, studies and families, and have stopped taking their ARV)medication, believing that prayer and faith will cure them.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Health Nomagugu Simelane has called for the arrest of those who encourage HIV positive people to abandon their ARV treatments and rely on faith-based healing. This follows last week's Sunday Tribune edition where members of a religious community in KwaMaphumulo, KwaZulu-Natal, who have abandoned careers, education and, in some cases. The group is led by Reverend Vusumuzi Sibiya, (in a black jacket) the group says it has found peace and purpose, while raising concern over some of its practices.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Indepedent Newspapers
Speaking on Friday during the department’s Easter Weekend Church Wellness Outreach Programme at the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa in uMzinyathi, Inanda, eThekwini, Simelane said the claims were deeply troubling.
“As a department, we respect the autonomy of the religious sector and do not seek to dictate matters of faith,” she said.
“However, we have a duty to act when faced with allegations that people are being misled in ways that could cost lives.”
Simelane emphasised that while the allegations have not been legally proven, encouraging people living with HIV to abandon treatment would have devastating consequences.
“If it is true that any person is encouraging followers to stop their ARVs, that behaviour is dangerous and cannot be tolerated,” she said.
“It is, in effect, a way of killing people slowly.”
The MEC went further, warning that such conduct could amount to “nothing less than genocide against people living with HIV”.
She reminded communities of the devastation caused by HIV before the widespread rollout of ARVs in South Africa.
“We all remember what HIV did to our communities before the arrival of ARVs, the funerals, the orphans, the wasting away. We will not take our people back to that dark time,” she said.
Simelane stressed that there is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, antiretroviral treatment enables people living with the virus to lead long and healthy lives while also reducing the risk of transmission.
Stopping ARV treatment, she said, can lead to viral rebound, deterioration of health, possible death and increased risk of infecting others.
“Spreading misinformation on this matter cannot be taken lightly,” she warned.
Simelane also appealed to the broader religious community to work with the Department of Health to combat misinformation about HIV treatment.
“Pastors play a big role in our communities. They preach weekly to people who believe in them,” she said.
“If their message on HIV and AIDS is dwindling, that is dangerous.”
The MEC said the department was willing to train and equip religious leaders with accurate information so they can help promote awareness and encourage adherence to treatment.
“The Bible says my people perish because of a lack of knowledge,” she added.
At the same time, Simelane called for legal consequences for anyone found to be deliberately misleading people about HIV treatment.
“Anyone who misleads people by telling them to abandon ARVs must face the full might of the law. That is tantamount to causing harm,” she said.
She also urged people living with HIV to continue taking their medication.
“Prayer, rest and medical faithfulness save lives,” Simelane said, wishing religious communities a blessed Passover and Easter while encouraging support for those caring for the sick.