Staff Reporter
Two well-known politicians have tested positive for COVID-19 after coming into contact with infected persons at a church convention held in Bloemfontein earlier this month.
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) president, the Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, and ACDP MP Steve Swart had both tested positive for the coronavirus disease, their party confirmed today.
That makes it three high-profile cases so far from the church conference held at the Divine Restoration Ministries from March 9-11 in the Free State capital, with popular televangelist Angus Buchan having announced on Wednesday that he had also tested positive for the deadly novel virus.
The three were among the more than 300 congregants at the convention who are believed to have come into contact with five overseas guests who have since tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently quarantined.
“We can confirm that our President Reverend Kenneth Meshoe and Steve Swart are positive for coronavirus,” the ACDP announced through the party’s official Twitter account.
Leaders from different political parties in the country are now expected to undergo testing following Meshoe’s positive results after they interacted at an inter-political party meeting called by President Cyril Ramaphosa recently to discuss a national strategy against COVID-19.
Ramaphosa has since tested negative.
Meshoe told the SABC in a live television interview Friday afternoon that he does not have any symptoms for the acute respiratory disease which usually starts with normal flu-like symptoms.
“I don’t have symptoms yet. I have been asked the question of symptoms for the whole week and I have never had any symptoms . . . If I have to run a marathon, I could run a marathon,” said a positive-sounding Meshoe.
He was however quick to mention that he remains in self-isolation at home with his wife and is trying to contact his personal doctor for directions on how to proceed.
His wife has also undergone testing but he would not divulge her results saying the family may do so at a later stage.
Upon receiving the news, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said he would immediately self-isolate and go for testing tomorrow as he recently interacted with Meshoe.
Holomisa told the SABC that he was driving past Bloemfontein on his way home to the Eastern Cape to attend a funeral tomorrow when he heard the news.
“I think I have to self-isolate right away and not go to that funeral. Instead, I will go for testing,” Holomisa said.