The Mat Is Being Pulled Out — Major Church Bodies Turn Their Backs on the CRL Agenda

A Crisis of Confidence: Churches Reject State Regulation

The walls are closing in on the CRL Rights Commission as a series of major developments shake the foundation of its controversial Section 22 Committee agenda. Within just a week, some of South Africa’s most influential Christian organizations have begun withdrawing their participation from initiatives linked to the Commission, signaling a growing revolt against state interference in religious affairs.

First, the Great Commission/Lihlangene Ibandla announced its decision to withdraw from the Section 22 Committee, citing the need to preserve unity in the Body of Christ and warning that the Committee’s work had become a source of division among believers.

Soon after, the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) — one of the nation’s largest Pentecostal denominations — issued a public statement withdrawing its membership from TEASA (The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa), which had publicly aligned itself with the CRL’s position on regulating religion.

AFM of SA Takes a Bold Stand

In a letter dated 16 October 2025,

AFM's leadership condemned TEASA’s unsigned and undated statement calling for the formation of a Section 22 Committee to regulate the religious sector. The AFM said it had not been consulted before TEASA’s statement was issued and that the move was inconsistent with its beliefs.

The AFM’s statement emphasized that:

• Existing laws in South Africa already provide sufficient tools to deal with abuse or fraud in the religious sector.

• Religious self-regulation — through internal church codes and disciplinary structures — is the best approach.

• Freedom of religion must be protected, as allowing the government to define what is “legitimate” doctrine sets a dangerous precedent.

• Transparency and inclusivity are essential for any oversight structure claiming to represent the faith community.

  
  

The AFM declared that TEASA’s position undermines these principles and confirmed that it would withdraw its membership with immediate effect.

This decision has reignited the debate over church independence and state overreach, with many Christians applauding AFM’s move as a defense of constitutional freedom.

TEASA on the Brink — Will the Assemblies of God Be Next?

The developments have left TEASA facing internal turmoil. After AFM’s exit, rumors have surfaced that the Assemblies of God may also be considering withdrawal. Tensions rose further after TEASA’s Vice President allegedly commented that “pastors are running churches like spaza shops,” a statement that many leaders across denominations found offensive and insulting.

Several pastors have since called for TEASA leadership accountability, arguing that the alliance no longer represents the values and unity of the broader Christian community.

If the Assemblies of God follows AFM’s lead, TEASA could face a major credibility crisis, with its biggest members abandoning ship over what they view as government manipulation of faith structures.

CRL Rights Commission in Turmoil

To make matters worse, internal divisions have now erupted within the CRL Commission itself.

A Growing Revolt Against the CRL Agenda

The combined effect of these events is unmistakable: the religious community is losing confidence in the CRL Rights Commission’s leadership and agenda.With The Great Commission withdrawing from the Section 22 Committee, the AFM cutting ties with TEASA, and speculation that the Assemblies of God could follow, the CRL’s campaign to regulate religion is crumbling from within.

Even within the Commission’s own walls, divisions and accusations suggest a loss of cohesion and integrity. Many observers now question whether the CRL, under Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva’s leadership, can continue to operate with credibility.

Conclusion: The Church Takes Its Stand

South Africa’s Christian community is making its position clear: faith is not to be governed by the State.From the pulpit to the pew, church leaders are speaking with one voice — calling for freedom of religion, self-regulation, and the disbanding of the Section 22 Committee.

As one pastor boldly declared during a recent rally:

“We will not allow government-appointed commissioners to tell us how to worship our God. The Church belongs to Christ — not to the CRL.”

The tide has turned. The mat is indeed being pulled out — not under the Church, but under those who sought to control it.