Parliament Reaffirms Constitutional Protection of Religious Freedom Following SACD March and february 2026 discussions
- SACD MEDIA
- Feb 12
- 2 min read
South Africa’s constitutional democracy has once again affirmed a foundational principle: freedom of religion remains protected under the Constitution.
In a recent media statement issued by the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to protecting religious freedom. This statement followed a parliamentary discussion held on 12 February 2026, as well as an earlier march to Parliament led by the South African Church Defenders (SACD) and supported by members of the religious sector.
The Context
Over the past months, serious concerns have been raised by faith communities regarding potential government overreach into religious affairs. These concerns relate to regulatory proposals, oversight mechanisms, and the broader question of how the state interacts with religious institutions.
In response, SACD organised and led a march to Parliament, representing churches and religious leaders who believe that constitutional rights must be guarded vigilantly. The march was not an act of hostility, but a lawful, peaceful, and constitutional exercise of democratic participation.
The subsequent parliamentary discussion on 12 February 2026 created an opportunity for Members of Parliament to engage these concerns directly.
Parliament’s Position
In its official media statement, the COGTA Committee made it clear that:
Freedom of religion is constitutionally protected.
Any regulatory action must align with the Constitution.
Oversight of religious bodies must respect fundamental rights.
This reaffirmation is significant. It confirms that Parliament recognises both the sensitivity and importance of religious liberty in South Africa’s constitutional framework.
Why This Matters
Religious freedom is not a minor administrative matter. It is a core right protected under Section 15 of the Constitution. It protects:
The right to worship freely
The right to organise religious institutions
The right to express religious beliefs
The right of faith communities to self-govern within constitutional limits
When religious freedom is questioned or appears threatened, it affects millions of South Africans.
The COGTA statement demonstrates that democratic engagement works. When civil society speaks lawfully and clearly, Parliament listens.
SACD’s Role
The South African Church Defenders remains committed to:
Defending constitutional religious freedom
Engaging Parliament respectfully
Protecting churches from unlawful overreach
Promoting accountability while preserving autonomy
The march to Parliament was never about confrontation — it was about constitutional clarity and responsible engagement.
The Way Forward
The discussion is not ove and the fight for religious freedom is far from over. Dialogue continues. However, the recent reaffirmation by Parliament is an important step in ensuring that religious communities are not regulated in a manner that undermines their constitutional rights.
SACD will continue to monitor developments closely, engage constructively, and ensure that the voice of the Church is heard at every level of governance.
Religious freedom must never be assumed. It must be protected, defended, and exercised responsibly.
Read the full COGTA media statement here:
SACD – Defending the Church. Protecting the Constitution.
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