He says the majority of the 61 patients who tested positive in the Free State attended the church conference - which had five international visitors who tested for Covid-19. Mkhize adds that patients without a history of travelling abroad have been detected in many provinces. 

OFM News reported earlier that Mkhize – while addressing the nation on the Covid-19 – flagged Mangaung which includes Bloemfontein, as well as Sandton in Gauteng, as potential epicentres of the virus in South Africa. 

So far three more Bloemfontein churches have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

This as two churches - the Global Reconciliation Church and the Eagle Christian Church Restoration Centre - are located in the Bloemanda township. Whilst the third church, Word to the World Ministry, under Pastor Andile Somtseu, is located near Makro in Bloemfontein. 

So far the country reports 1 170 confirmed cases and one death due to Covid-19. The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) also confirmed that a total of 28 537 tests were conducted to date.

Meanwhile, Police Minister, Bheki Cele, said that 55 people were arrested for breaking the law and not adhering to the 21-day national lockdown measures as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

Cele said five people were arrested in the Free State, twenty in Gauteng, seven in Kwa-Zulu Natal, ten in Limpopo, eleven in North West and two in the Western Cape.

OFM News