Several Christian organisations, including the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), have strongly condemned the CRL Rights Commission’s decision to establish a new consultative body to oversee churches and faith institutions in South Africa. The groups have also called for the removal of the commission’s chairperson, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, accusing her of undermining religious freedom.
The organisations participated in the National Christian March to the Union Buildings on Wednesday under the banner “Xaluva Must Go”, claiming that the commission’s actions amount to an attack on faith and freedom of worship.
The march was led by prominent and controversial religious leaders, including Bishop Stephen Zondo, Prophet Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng, Pastor Mpfariseni Mukhuba, South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) President Cardinal Archbishop Modiri Patrick Shole, and ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe.
Meshoe, speaking on YOUFM Newshour, criticised Mkhwanazi-Xaluva over alleged remarks suggesting that “those who claim to speak to God should be taken to a psychiatric hospital.”
“That is an insult because God does speak to people,” Meshoe said. “The fact that she believes in ancestors, and in one of the videos talks about speaking to her late mother, yet denies that God speaks to people, is wrong. The CRL Commission’s mandate is not to judge people’s beliefs—she has crossed the line.”
Meshoe said many Christians are angered by what they view as the chairperson’s overreach and lack of understanding of the commission’s constitutional role.
He also rejected claims that religious leaders have ignored abuses by self-proclaimed prophets and pastors, such as Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, who was convicted of sexually assaulting young women in his church.
“For her to suggest that because abuse has taken place in some churches, all Christians must be painted with the same brush is wrong,” he said. “Anyone who commits a crime—whether in a church or a workplace—must be dealt with by the state. The CRL Commission cannot do the work of the police.”
Meshoe said the church welcomed Omotoso’s arrest and called for tougher sentences for religious leaders found guilty of violating their congregants.
“A pastor or any religious leader who rapes or violates members of the church should be punished more harshly than any layperson because they know both the law of God and the laws of the land,” Meshoe added.
The ACDP also rejected the Section 22 Committee, recently introduced by the CRL Commission, questioning the selection process and lack of diversity in its composition.
“Mme Mkhwanazi-Xaluva failed to show confidence in women. The committee she put together does not represent all church leaders, women, or all races and genders in this country. We reject that committee,” Meshoe said.
In response, the CRL Commission described the committee as a peer-review mechanism designed to promote accountability, prevent abuse within religious organisations, and restore order in the sector. The commission said the body would operate independently and consult widely across the faith community.
