Satanic church claims it already has followers in soon-to-be new home, Ballito

The news that a Satanic church is planning to open in Ballito caused a huge stir this week – but Satanists said they have been operating in the area for years.

While South African Satanic Church co-founder and former Christian pastor, Riaan Swiegelaar, says there is a group practicing in Ballito, they refuse to identify themselves for fear of reprisal.

Swiegelaar, who started South Africa’s first Satanic church in Cape Town in February, says Satanism is misunderstood and is growing.

Swiegelaar and co-founder Adri Norton registered the church as a non-profit company under the category of a religious organisation on February 12.

This is the same non-profit status given to churches, synagogues and mosques. Among the privileges given to the SA Satanic Church are exemption from taxes and the ability to host public events.

Speaking from Cape Town this week, Norton said their members were from throughout society, and contrary to belief, Satanists did not terrorise children, drink blood or perform sacrificial slaughter.

“We have been gathering as a group for the last 4 years and already have a large number of Satanists in Durban. Meetings have been taking place in secret in Ballito and opening a church there is the natural next step, following the growth of membership in the region,” said Norton.

Norton said they would only make the Ballito chapter public once it was safe to do so, owing to ‘extensive misunderstanding’.

“They will however be official in September. We have a longstanding member who has been conducting rituals, meetings and ceremonies from his hotel and conference facility in Ballito.”

Approached for comment, All Souls Anglican Church (Salt Rock) minister Chris Meyer said that while the constitution of the country allowed freedom of worship and of association, as a Christian he believed that the way God called on people to live was the only correct way.

“Christians believe that God and the Devil are in a struggle and those who choose to follow the Devil are striving for values that no Christian should strive for.

“While I respect peoples’ right to gather together as they wish, I also firmly believe that the only correct way is to follow the Christian God.”

Freedom House pastor Ryan Matthews in Umhlali agreed South Africa allowed freedom of religion, and the Christian response was to treat all people with love and compassion regardless of their religious beliefs.

“This does not mean we agree with what they do or believe.

“Our response should not be to vilify people for what they believe. We should treat them the same way we treat any other religion,” he said.

Do you want to receive news alerts from The North Coast Courier via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.