By Motshwari Mo Mofokeng |
Hundreds of Christians marched through the Durban CBD on Thursday, calling on government to stop what they described as increasing interference in church affairs.
The protest, organised under the banner #HandsOffTheChurch, saw worshippers walk more than 2km from King Dinuzulu Park to Durban City Hall, stopping along the way to pray and sing while appealing for religious freedom.
The march was led by members of the South African Church Defenders and KwaZulu-Natal Chaplain Apostle Lungi M. Magwaza, who said the demonstration aimed to send a clear message to government that the church must remain independent from state control.
eThekwini Community Church founder Bishop Vusi Dube told supporters the protest was a stand against what many religious leaders believe is over-regulation by authorities.
“We are here to defend the church from over-regulation by government. The state must respect the independence of the church and allow believers to worship freely,” said Dube.
He criticised the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission, chaired by Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, accusing it of placing excessive restrictions on churches.
Dube claimed the commission’s actions had created divisions within the religious sector and warned that continued interference could undermine religious freedom.
Similar concerns were echoed by Kevin van Staden of Sycamore Church, who said faith leaders were increasingly worried about the growing oversight of religious institutions.
African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe also joined the protest, urging government to reassess the role and intentions of the CRL’s Section 22 Committee, which was established to address issues within the religious sector.
Protesters ended the march at City Hall with prayers, while some called for Mkhwanazi-Xaluva to step down as chair of the commission.
