Protest against CT as sex city

2001-05-31 11:28

Cape Town - About 200 people staged a quiet placard demonstration outside the Cape Town Civic Centre on Wednesday against the city being promoted as a sex tourist destination.

The demonstrators held aloft placards proclaiming, among others: "Don't let sex tourism rape the Cape", "Cape Town belongs to God", and "Biblical values for Cape Town."

Jeanine McGill, co-ordinator of Africa Christian Action, who organised the protest said, "We need to stop prostitution directly by confronting it on street corners around the city, as well as protesting to the government."

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDO) president Kenneth Meshoe said Christians were concerned that the creation of a "red light district" had been discussed in the media. "We oppose any such legitimatisation of immorality because prostitution breaks down God's design for sex and the family to the detriment of our society," Meshoe said.

"Immorality brings God's wrath on those societies that allow it, prostitution spreads disease, including HIV and drugs, and racketeering, while crime and violence are inseparably linked to prostitution."

Meshoe said the province's premier Gerald Morkel had promised to make Cape Town a "God friendly city" and should be held accountable to do this. "True Christians cannot be silent. We must stand for righteousness."

Errol Naidoo, spokesperson for His People Christian Church expressed concern that if sex tourism and prostitution in the city were not stopped, Cape Town could become like Bangkok in Thailand, where thousands of poor women and children were enslaved to the industry.

The group dispersed after singing hymns and praying together.

- SAPA