KZN church leaders set date for massive religious freedom march in Durban

Church leaders are set to march against the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) following the public clashes between the government-established body and various churches and Christian organisations in the country.

Chief among the concerns raised by the churches and religious bodies is the work of the Section 22 Committee established by the CRL Rights Commission to “deal with issues in the religious sector, especially promoting and protecting the rights of believers”.

In response, the South African Church Defenders (SACD) said the move was aimed at imposing a regulatory regime over churches, doctrine, governance structures and religious leadership.

The SACD said it will lead the provincial Christian march in KwaZulu-Natal on March 12, bringing together pastors, church leaders, and believers from across the province in a peaceful and unified demonstration in defence of constitutional religious freedoms.

Participants will gather at King Dinuzulu Park in the Durban CBD from 9AM, before marching at 10AM to Durban City Hall, it said. 

The organisation said, “This march takes place amid concerns over attempts by the CRL Rights Commission to regulate churches through proposals requiring compulsory registration and the licensing of pastors—measures that interfere with freedom of religion, church governance, and doctrinal autonomy." 

The statement added that these concerns have become urgent, especially after the resignation of Professor Musa Xulu, who alleged that the independence of the Section 22 Committee was compromised due to interference from CRL chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva—creating a hostile environment and pushing the process toward expanded state regulation of churches.

Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, in a media briefing in January, defended the work of the Section 22 Committee and said it is meant to enforce ethical conduct of the religious and linguistic communities and not specifically the church.

SACD said it was calling for:

• The immediate resignation or removal of Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva as Chairperson of the CRL Rights Commission;
• The dissolution of the current Section 22 Committee, which SACD considers to lack legitimacy and public confidence;
• An independent and transparent inquiry into the committee’s formation, mandate, governance, and operations;
• The release of records relating to appointments, minutes, resolutions, and decision-making processes.

“This mobilisation represents a collective stand by believers across KwaZulu-Natal who seek clarity, accountability, and the safeguarding of fundamental freedoms.

“The SACD urges media houses, civil society organisations, church networks, and concerned citizens to observe, engage, and report responsibly on this historic provincial gathering,” said the statement.

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