DURBAN came out in their numbers to support the call for the separation of the State from church affairs as the #HandsofftheChurch movement marched through the CBD to City Hall this morning (March 12).

Stopping to pray in-between the over 2km-long stretch from King Dinuzulu Park to Durban City Hall, Christians and protesters, led by South African Church Defenders and KwaZulu-Natal Chaplain Apostle Lungi M Magwaza, garnered the attention of onlookers who were curious about the march.

eThekwini Community Church founder Bishop Vusi Dube said the protest was a clear message of “hands off the church”. “We are here to defend the church from over-regulation by government,” said Dube.

He accused government of over-extending their hands in regulating Christianity through the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission which is chaired by Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva.

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“What Thoko Xaluva has done over the years is to divide the church, which is why we are here today, to tell her and the world that we remain united,” said Dube.

“We cannot allow government to come in between the church and the people. The conditions that the CRL are placing on churches are impossible. We understand the need to root out but that is the job of law enforcement and not the CRL which is now oppressing Christianity through heavy regulations on churches.”

This was also the view of Kevin van Staden from Sycamore Church: “We need to raise our voice and show concern because we are not happy with government’s over-regulation of the church.”

His sentiments were shared by African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe who was among the protesters. He called on government to reassess the motive behind the CRL’s formation of the Section 22 Committee which was led by Prof Musa Xulu who resigned after levelling serious allegations against Xaluva’s leadership.

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The Section 22 Committee was tasked with coming up with mechanisms to deal with issues in the religious sector, especially promoting and protecting the rights of the Christian believer while ensuring that religious freedom is maintained in line with the constitution.

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