Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane urged South Africans to register and vote in the upcoming local government elections.

"I know that some of the candidates will be coming to you for the first and last time . we can only hope and pray that they do not forget about you once you've elected them," he said.

Lekganyane was addressing millions of churchgoers during his Easter sermon at the church's headquarters at Moria outside Polokwane on Sunday.

He also called on traffic officers who demanded "cool drink" [bribes] from motorists to stop.

The church recently appeared before the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) investigating the commercialisation of religion and the abuse of worshippers by some religious leaders.

Lekganyane cautioned his pastors against ill-treating worshippers. He said the church was against such conduct.

"The ZCC is a compassionate church. We are a church of the rich and the poor. We care a lot about people. We also know that there are people who are not members of the ZCC [but] who rely on it heavily for support and emotional strength. That is why we love and help everybody - members and non-members alike," Lekganyane said.

He also expressed his condolences for bereaved families and wished the survivors of a bus that overturned while transporting members of his church early this month a speedy recovery.

The driver lost control of the bus on the R528 while travelling from Moria to Phalaborwa.

The accident took place on March 6 in a mountainous area in Magoebaskloof. Ten people died at the scene while several others were injured.

Among those who attended the Easter service were Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza, Limpopo's premier Stanley Mathabatha, Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Minister for Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa, her transport counterpart Dipuo Peters, and a host of other dignitaries, traditional leaders, business people and ordinary citizens.

frankm@sowetan.co.za