- The South African Church Defenders led a protest march through Durban on Thursday against a proposed framework to regulate churches.
- The CRL Rights Commission says its proposed framework aims to protect congregants from abuse and ensure churches are properly governed.
Religious leaders from different churches in KwaZulu-Natal marched through Durban on Thursday against a draft framework that would set rules for how churches operate.
The South African Church Defenders (SACD) led faith-based organisations on the march from King Dinuzulu Park to Durban City Hall.
SACD Chief Coordinator Pastor Aaron Munsamy described the march as a peaceful constitutional mobilisation.
“We are taking a stand to say the State must take its hands off our churches. This is not a political movement; it is a movement of believers standing for the right to worship freely,” Munsamy said.
The churches are protesting against a Draft Self-Regulatory Framework proposed by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission).
The commission says the framework is meant to promote ethics and accountability, not to dictate religious doctrine. It proposes that churches have mandatory constitutions and internal governance structures. Organisations could also be certified through an Independent Christian Practice Council.
Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva has previously defended the commission’s work, saying its role includes protecting vulnerable citizens from harmful practices in the religious sector.
The commission has raised concerns about some churches giving congregants petrol to drink, claiming it will burn demons. Others have been feeding congregants grass, claiming it is God’s instruction.
The march ended peacefully in the afternoon, with organisers handing a memorandum to city officials.
Similar demonstrations have taken place in Gauteng and the Western Cape over the past year.
Pictured above: Church leaders marching in Durban.
Image source: Celani Sikhakhane
