Collaboration will strengthen SA's faith-based sector

ON FEBRUARY 11, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) convened an online Zoom meeting with representatives of the religious sector to address growing concerns surrounding the Commission for Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights (CRL Commission) and the establishment of its Section 22 Committee.

- BERT PRETORIUS

SACOFF - the South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals and Federations - participated in the virtual engagement. We left that online meeting encouraged.

Not because all differences have been resolved. But because we were heard. And because Parliament reaffirmed a principle that must anchor this national conversation: freedom of religion is constitutionally guaranteed and must be protected - and congregants must equally be protected from abuse.

Although the meeting was conducted virtually, the substance of the engagement was significant.

The chairperson of the Committee, Dr Zweli Mkhize, emphasised that Parliament's role at this stage is to determine whether there are adequate areas of common understanding across religious bodies on how to address misconduct - within a framework that respects constitutional rights.

This balanced framing is critical. South Africa’s Constitution protects freedom of religion (Sec 15) and the right of religious communities to practise collectively (Sec 31). These are not privileges granted by the state. They are entrenched constitutional rights.

At the same time, SACOFF has consistently condemned harmful and criminal practices within any religious space. Where abuse occurs, it must be addressed decisively — through existing criminal law and the justice system.

The debate is therefore not about whether accountability is necessary. It is about how accountability is structured, and whether such structures align with constitutional principles.