Religion

The CRL Rights Commission presented its report about the commercialisation of religion and the abuse of people’s belief system to the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance.

In their analysis of the public submissions, the report concludes that some religious leaders are abusing people and that regulation is needed to stop this.

Following media reports of congregants being asked to eat grass, snakes, drink petrol or part with considerable sums, the Commission decided to probe why people believed in and participated in some of these practices. This included engaging with all faith communities and experts across the length and breadth of the country.

As part of regulating the sector, the Commission recommended that that a peer-review committee be established, which will hold those going against the rules accountable to clamp down on bogus pastors. Other proposals include the following:

- SARS should do an in – depth investigation into tax evasion by some religious leaders and religious institutions, in partnership with the CRL Rights Commission.

-DTI – through its relevant entities and structures - must ensure that severe action is taken against those persons and institutions involved in advertising substances that do not follow the advertising standards. Also that misleading adverts, testimonies, and miracles on print, broadcast, social media and online should be stopped.

-The registration of religious institutions should be moved from CIPRO to the CRL Rights Commission.

- SAPS should enforce the law when complaints are lodged pertaining to religious practitioners because the commission has found that there is a serious reluctance to act when there are complaints against religious leaders because they are religious leaders.

The CRL Rights Commission argued that the proposals on the table will ensure that the doctrine of each religion is defended and protected. Their proposals will ensure that those who are abusing their members are removed from the system.

MPs and religious leaders who attended the workshop for and against the recommendations and some voiced issues with specific aspects of the report. Parliament noted it would also have to embark on its own process to hear from ordinary South Africans and decide the way forward.

Religious groups feeling targeted by the findings of the Commission are gearing up for a fight against the Chapter Nine institution.  Freedom of Religion SA (Forsa) is leading the charge, saying the recommendations are unconstitutional and can be challenged in court.