House Chairperson,
The ACDP is aware that based on a report submitted by the CRL Rights Commission, the National Security Strategy for 2024-2028 publicly identifies the “mushrooming of charismatic churches” as a domestic national-security concern. This places millions of Christians, who fall into this category, into a national-security framework alongside organised crime, violent extremism, corruption, and terrorism.
In sworn affidavit, written by Prof. Musa Xulu, he states that he recently received a call from a Mr Vincent Mnguni, who stated that he was acting on behalf of the National Intelligence or State Security Agency, informing him that Ms Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, had allegedly referred him for investigation regarding legal opinions concerning the Section 22 Committee process, already circulating publicly. Additionally, allegations were made that Christian organisations and leaders, including FORSA, SA Church Defenders and others opposing the current CRL process, had allegedly also been referred to State Security structures for investigation, profiling and/or possible surveillance.
As a result the ACDP supports Professor Xulu’s call for:
- Clarification regarding the CRL’s engagement with state-security structures;
- An investigation into the inclusion of “charismatic churches” in the National Security Strategy;
- Urgent constitutional scrutiny of the CRL’s Section 22 process; and
- Full parliamentary oversight of these developments.
The COGTA Portfolio Committee, should not accept any report or recommendations from the CRL Section 22 Committee, until the finalisation of the Court case on the matter.
Going back to the budget vote, of some R410.9bn, the ACDP is deeply concerned about the Municipal governance decline in our 257 Municipalities. In Nelson Mandela Bay, the City has lacked a functioning city manager, for nearly three years, while the suspended manager drew R6 million in pay. The Madlanga Commission found ghost procurement and irregular contracts in Ekurhuleni and Tshwane and the exposure of evergreen contracts and irregular expenditure in Nelson Mandela Bay saw R1.7 billion written off.
When municipalities fail to account, communities suffer; roads remain impassable, clinics are under-resourced, and local economies are stifled.
As Kingdom builders, the ACDP reminds the Minister that we cannot afford municipalities that are little more than conduits for corruption, neither can we afford a CRL Rights Commission that seeks to weaponise legislation to use against the Church.
I thank you.
