A group of Western Cape and national religious, traditional and community leaders are asking Parliament to investigate the conduct of controversial CRL Rights Commission chair Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva,
In a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thokozile Didiza, the group lists concerns with the CRL chair, including pushing for state regulation of religion in contravention of the Constitution; making multiple statements that are misleading, disrespectful to religious beliefs, divisive, intimidating and
discriminatory to religious communities; and interfering in the work of the Section 22 Committee on religious abuse after promising its independence. Examples of public statements made by the CRL Chair are appended to the letter in support of the leaders’ concerns.
Stating that they have tried, unsuccessfully to engage directly with Mkhwanazi-Xaluva to resolve their concerns, the group members request a Parliamentary inquiry into her conduct in terms of S15 of the CRL Rights Act, and for a recommendation to be made to the President for her to be removed from office if she is found to be in contravention of the Act.
They also recommend the disbanding of the Section 22 Committee.
The letter concludes: “We request the opportunity to orally present our case and play the video excerpts of her statements to an investigating committee of the National Assembly.
“As Christian leaders we are willing to abide by the laws of the country applicable to everyone
regardless of religious belief, but we reject any special laws or regulations or state structures to
regulate religious practitioners or church institutions.”
Organisations represented by the letter are: African Religious & Traditional Leaders Council (ARTLC); The Anti-Regulation of Religion Summit (ARRS); Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) Religious Forum; Without Walls Apostolic Ministries Network; Christian View Network; Concerned Christians; and additional
churches, networks, leaders and umbrella bodies.
The letter was expected to be delivered to Parliament today.
Please help us to keep on publishing news that brings Hope in Jesus:
>> Donate >> Become a Super Subscriber
VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/gatewaynews100
COMMENTING GUIDELINES
You are welcome to engage with our articles by making comments [in the Comments area below] that add value to a topic or to engage in thoughtful, constructive discussion with fellow readers. Comments that contain vulgar language will be removed. Hostile, demeaning, disrespectful, propagandistic and off-topic comments may also be moved. This is a Christian website and if you wish to vent against Christian beliefs you have probably come to the wrong place and your comments may be removed. Ongoing debates and repetitiveness will not be tolerated. You will also disqualify yourself from commenting if you engage in trolling.
