Madam Speaker, Chapter 9 of the South African Constitution calls for the establishment of six State institutions designed to strengthen constitutional democracy. One of these is the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (the CRL Commission).
The ACDP notes that the objects of the CRL Commission do not include regulation of The Church (or other faith-based organisations) by the State. The ACDP supports accountability through existing laws, but does not and never will support such State regulation.
We, therefore, want to raise our deep concerns about the CRL Commission Chairperson’s fitness to hold office. Among other things, she has made some highly offensive and inappropriate remarks about the Church. For example, she allegedly said in an interview with the BBC [and I quote]: “This thing called Christianity must be regulated.”
The ACDP strongly objects. Christianity is not “a thing”—it is a faith founded in Jesus Christ to propagate His message of salvation and forgiveness of sins.
I doubt Ms Thoko Mkhwanazi Xaluva would ever refer to Islam or Ancestral Worship as “this thing”. However, it has become patently clear by a number her comments that she has little respect for Christianity—my faith, and a faith held by the vast majority of South Africans.
The ACDP therefore calls for her suspension, pending a full investigation into her conduct by Parliament.
The ACDP says NO to state regulation of the Church!
