SACD HANDS MEMORANDUM TO LIMPOPO PREMIER, REJECTS CRL CHURCH LICENSING PROPOSAL

Thousands march in Polokwane against Section 22 process, citing constitutional concerns

RESISTANCE IN RED: Members of the South African Church Defenders (SACD) march through Polokwane on Monday, 10 August 2026. The crowd marched to the Office of the Limpopo Premier to hand over a memorandum rejecting the CRL Rights Commission’s proposed licensing of churches and pastors.

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POLOKWANE— Thousands of members of the South African Church Defenders (SACD) marched to the Office of the Limpopo Premier in Polokwane on Monday to hand over a memorandum rejecting the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission’s proposed regulation of churches.

The march was in opposition to the CRL Rights Commission’s Section 22 process, which SACD says seeks to make it compulsory for pastors and churches to obtain licenses to minister.

SACD National Coordinator, Pastor Faith Maswinyaneng, said the proposal amounts to state interference in religious affairs. “We are saying no to state interference in matters regarding the church,” Maswinyaneng said. “The moment the state determines who can preach and who cannot is a violation of Section 15 of the Constitution and we are saying we cannot allow that to happen. Our freedom is being violated and the church is singled out from the rest. That cannot be allowed.”

Section 15 of the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion. Pastor Mukhuba, who addressed media during the march, said the turnout demonstrated growing resistance to the proposal.  

“The strong turnout in Polokwane today shows growing opposition among Christians to the CRL’s Section 22 process, which the South African Church Defenders argue could lead to state interference in church affairs,” she said. “We call on pastors nationwide to unite and defend the faith.”

THE FACE OF REGULATION: Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, Chairperson of the CRL Rights Commission, addresses the media. The Commission’s proposed Section 22 process, which includes licensing and peer review for churches, has sparked nationwide opposition from church groups.

Prof Mukhuba led the delegation that submitted the memorandum to officials at the Premier’s office. Video footage from the event captured the handover on 10 August 2026.

The SACD’s opposition follows public remarks by CRL Rights Commission Chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva outlining a proposed oversight model. In clips circulated by SACD, Xaluva refers to a “licensing process”, a “peer review mechanism”, and states that “if you continue practicing illegally... there will be legal consequences.”

The CRL Rights Commission has previously stated that its intention is to protect communities from abuse and exploitation within religious institutions. The Commission had not responded to the march by the time of publication.

SACD maintains that while it supports law enforcement against criminal activity in churches, it rejects any system that requires state approval for ministry.

The memorandum has been received by the Office of the Limpopo Premier. SACD said it would monitor government’s response and consider further action.

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