TO ALL IN THE UPCSA
The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) conveys its deepest condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of Glen and Vida Rafferty who were murdered, as they were returning to their farm at Normandien, near Newcastle. This was covered in many news channels in South Africa over the past few days. Glen and Vida were members of the UPCSA at St Andrew’s Presbyterian in Newcastle. Glen has been the Session Clerk and a Commissioner to the uThukela Presbytery for many years. May their souls rest in peace and rise in glory.
We express our heartfelt commiserations to the family, St Andrew’s Newcastle and uThukela Presbytery, and all those who are directly affected by the killing of people. We pledge our support, as they go through the difficult time.
The UPCSA condemns and abhors, in the strongest terms, the devaluation of life and the continued murder of farmers and farm workers, in the same way as we condemn the killing of any human being. We call on members of the UPCSA to commit to promoting peaceful co-existence and work towards building societies of peace and justice.
Warmest regards,
Rev Dr Lungile Mpetsheni
Rhadebe
General Secretary