The Fight for Religious Freedom: SACD Speaks Out Against State Regulation of the Church

A Renewed Threat to Religious Liberty

At the recent South African Church Defenders, Pastors & Leaders Breakfast Meeting, Michael Swain of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FORSA) raised a serious alarm: once again, the CRL Rights Commission, under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, is pushing for laws that would place religion under direct state control.

This renewed attempt is not the first of its kind. In 2016–2018, the same proposals surfaced, seeking to create a framework where the state would vet, monitor, and license pastors and churches. Though the initiative was halted after public opposition, the strategy has now resurfaced, threatening the very foundation of South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

Turning a Right into a Privilege

Michael Swain highlighted the fundamental danger:

“If the state controls religion — if it vets you as a pastor, inspects your church, and decides whether or not you are ‘licensed’ to preach or to found a church — then you no longer have a right to religious freedom. You only have a privilege, and what government gives, government can also take away.”

This statement underscores the critical distinction between a right and a privilege.

A right is inherent — it belongs to every human being by virtue of human dignity.

A privilege is conditional — it is granted by authority and can be withdrawn.

South Africa’s Constitution (Section 15) enshrines freedom of religion, belief, and opinion as a human right. To reduce this right to a government-issued license is to undermine our dignity and freedom, turning something that belongs to us as citizens into something controlled by the state.

Lessons From Across Africa

The warning is not hypothetical. Michael Swain reminded attendees that this strategy has already played out across Africa:

Rwanda & Angola: Thousands of churches were shut down after state regulation was introduced.

Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Ethiopia: Ongoing battles between government regulators and churches, resulting in closures, harassment, and suppression of faith communities.

These cases offer a stark glimpse into South Africa’s possible future if the CRL’s proposals succeed.

SACD’s Position: For Christ. For Freedom. For the Church.

The South African Church Defenders (SACD) stands resolute:

1. We Reject State Regulation of Religion

   • Faith is not the government’s to give or take.

   • No pastor, minister, or church should need state permission to fulfill their God-given calling.

2. We Defend Constitutional Rights

   • Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion as a right, not a privilege.

   • Any attempt to convert it into a licensed permission violates the spirit of our democracy.

3. We Call for Unity Among Believers

   • Pastors, leaders, and Christians across the nation must rise together in defense of this freedom.

   • Silence today will mean bondage tomorrow.

   
   

A Call to Action

South Africa faces a critical moment. The question is not whether the government has the power to regulate religion — the question is whether we as citizens, pastors, and believers will allow it.

History has shown that when faith communities remain silent, oppressive systems gain ground. But when believers unite with courage, freedom is preserved for generations to come.

The South African Church Defenders (SACD) calls upon every church, every leader, and every believer to:

• Stay informed about the CRL’s proposals.

• Raise awareness in your congregations and communities.

• Engage with Parliament and civil society to defend your rights.

We must ensure that the right to worship freely — a right rooted in our dignity and given by God — is never reduced to a government-regulated privilege.

SACD SPEAKS OUT❗

For Christ. For Freedom. For the Church.