Zion Christian Church (ZCC) congregants, led by Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane, are expected to descend on Moria outside Polokwane, Limpopo, this weekend for what is regarded as one of the largest Christian gatherings in the world. 

On Thursday, the PUTCO bus company announced that it had dispatched about 500 buses to transport ZCC members to the holy city for their Easter pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety has taken charge of the regional, provincial, and national roads to ensure adherence to traffic rules. 

WATCH: Easter Weekend | PUTCO bus company ready to ferry ZCC members to Moria

Boost to SMMEs

It’s been five years since this African-initiated church last allowed its members to make the trip to the holy city. Unlike other Christian denominations, ZCC strictly observed COVID-19 regulations for the longest period.

This Easter weekend is also expected to give a significant boost to SMMEs in the province and the tourism sector at large. 

The Limpopo Tourism Agency says it anticipates more than 2 million visitors over the Easter weekend. This includes thousands of ZCC church members who are expected to embark on their Easter pilgrimage to Moria.

Phalaborwa, Bela Bela and the Kruger National Park are also favoured destinations for holidaymakers.

CEO Moses Ngobeni says townships in the province will also benefit from the increased economic activity.

Meanwhile, Limpopo police say they’re ready to ensure safety as members of the Zion Christian Church attend the first mass church gathering in five years.

Nearby, the Saint Engenas ZCC, dove symbol, is also having its Easter conference.

Hundreds of buses are ferrying church members to both headquarters at Moria, outside Polokwane.

Police say their members have been deployed at all crime hotspots in the province to nip crime in the bud. Law enforcement deployment has also been reinforced at ports of entry, as well as on busy routes.

The province expects high traffic volumes due to the resumption of mass gatherings of the ZCC.

Police say they have been working with both the ZCC and the Saint Engenas ZCC to ensure that pilgrims are safe within the churches’ premises.

In Mpumalanga, MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, says his department is disappointed with the number of road fatalities that have already occurred during the Easter period. He noted that the number of accidents in the province has increased alarmingly since Thursday. 

Roads are expected to be busy throughout the long weekend, and authorities are using a multi-disciplinary action plan to enforce the law. 

WATCH: Easter Traffic | Mpumalanga authorities urge caution as road fatalities rise: Jackie Macie