The High Court of Zimbabwe has ruled congregants who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 can now attend church services with the police barred from arresting them.
Last month, the Cabinet announced that only fully vaccinated congregants are allowed to attend in-person church services.
However, an interim order passed by the High Court sets aside the Cabinet’s decision.
The ruling follows an application filed by human rights lawyer Obert Kondongwe challenging the decree arguing it had no legal standing. The court said:
The statement issued by Mutsvangwa on behalf of the Cabinet barring unvaccinated sit-in congregants in churches be suspended pending the return date of this application.
Further, and as attached to the foregoing, the conduct of Kazembe in enforcing the statement by Cabinet and conducting arrests and criminal proceedings against unvaccinated sit-in church congregants be suspended pending the return date of this application.
