An estimated 1,000 people marched to the Union Buildings from the Old Putco Bus Depo in Marabastad to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, on Wednesday, the 8th of October 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers- the South African Church Defenders (SACD), Pastor Lucas Nkosi, said the main reason for the march, is to express displeasure regarding the Chairperson of the CRL’s inconsistent and disrespectful comments.
Thoko Mkhwanazi Xaluva, the Chairperson of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic communities (CRL), is accused of speaking sternly to the Christian community and suggestive, relatively polite to others, such as traditional healers, for example.
But does this warrant a march?
Nkosi is of the view that religion/ faith is being regulated.
He says if this is done due to criminal activities, then courts should deal with this and other state entities.
His concern, is the establishment of one organisation, to manage different religions and faiths.
But Mpiyakhe Mkholo, Spokesperson of the CRL, said disinformation campaigns falsely claim that the CRL Commission advocates for the state regulation of religion.
“On the contrary, the issue of concern has been and continues to be about the conduct or behaviour of certain religious leaders, who place their church members in harm’s way. The Commission firmly asserts that freedom of religion is sacrosanct and an inviolable constitutional right that must never be compromised by any individual.”
Mkholo also said the mandate of the Commission is to contribute to finding solutions that will significantly safeguard the spiritual and emotional well-being of congregants.
He also said its intention is to reaffirm principles that promote and advance the respect for human dignity of all people, and to bring an end to instances of abuse.
“Christian faith community was witnessed on 02 October 2025 when members of a Section 22 committee were announced at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, officially conferring an immense responsibility into their hands” he said.
In response to recommendations from the CoGTA Portfolio Committee regarding self-regulation in the Christian space, a CRL Rights Commission Act established a Section 22 Committee, made up of the Council of African Independent Churches (CAIC), Ebuhleni Nazareth Baptist Church, Gauteng Nazareth Baptist Church, Ginyezinye Nazareth Baptist Church, Moral Regeneration Movement, Rhema Bible Church, South African Council of Churches, St Engenas Zion Christian Church, The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, The Great Commission, Thembezinhle Nazareth Baptist Church and the Zion Christian Church.
Picture of marchers: SACD