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By Thapelo Morokolo
The South African Church Defenders (SACD) is calling on the Limpopo provincial government to uphold religious freedom and constitutional rights.
Church leaders and congregants gathered in Polokwane on 10 August to handover a memorandum of demands to Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba.
They are in opposition of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) Section 22 process, which seeks to regulate religious institutions in South Africa.
The organisation demands that the provincial government uphold Section 15 of the Constitution which provides for the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion, reject any legislation that infringes on church autonomy — including CRL’s Section 22 regulations and engage churches directly before making policy decisions that affect religious bodies
Pastor Mpfariseni Mukhuba said they are against regulation and interference, highlighting that the church must remain free to worship, preach and serve communities without government overreach.
“Section 22 threatens that freedom,” Mukhuba said. Mukhuba believes the proposed regulation of churches forms part of a broader “global” and “New Age” agenda aimed at weakening Christianity.
She pointed to restrictions on churches in countries including China, Rwanda, Angola and Botswana as examples.
Rudzani Murovhi received the memorandum on behalf of the provincial government and acknowledged the concerns raised by church leaders.
