Thousands of Christian faith religious members demonstrated peaceful in solidarity with the South African Church Defenders to submit a memorandum at the Limpopo Office of the Premier on Monday.

The crowd was led by the movement Chairperson Pastor Mpfariseni Makhuba, who is the founder and senior pastor of Unity Fellowship Church.

Various church leaders throughout the country and neighboring countries came in full support under one slogan, “HANDS OFF OUR CHURCHES“.

The memorandum was handed over to the Office of the Premier’s Acting Deputy Director General ( Cooperate Management) Rundzani Murovhi and it raised concerns that the constitution of the country is not respected by the CRL Rights of Commission.

SACD seeks the support and leadership of Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and the provincial government to ensure that CRL consultation in the province is transparent and members of the public are able to access the venue when the committee visits in October 2026.

The CRL Rights Commission in South Africa, under the leadership of its Chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi Xaluva is conducting public consultation of the proposed Christian Sector Self-Regulatory Framework of Section 22.

The consultations have already been concluded in the various provinces and will proceed in Gauteng , North West, and Limpopo provinces.

The CRL describes its current proposal as voluntary self_ regulation rather than government licensing churches.

They argue that it’s approach is intended to protect the reputation of the Church and its congregations against harmful religious practices, abuse of congregants, financial exploitation, and also uphold accountability of pastors.

According to the framework, pastors should register their churches and disclose their annual financial records.

The SADC says the Commission has singled out the Christian faith religion, and the premier should consider the following constitutional sections in deliberation with her administration:

• Section 15 guarantees freedom of religion, belief, and opinion
• Section 18 protects freedom of association, including the right not to join state controlled religious structures
• Section 31 affirms the right of religious communities to self_ govern
• Section 9 prohibits unfair discrimination
• Chapter 9 Institutions such as CRL must operate independently, impartially, and within their constitutional mandate.

The SADC says if this law is enforced against the Christian faith, the country might experience what is happening to Christians in China and other countries where the religion is not freely practiced.

They have called upon the reintroduction of biblical studies at educational primary level in all public and private school to safeguard the spirit of love, respect, and humanity.

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