'Don't regulate religion'

HANDS OFF: RIGHTS COMMISSION TAKEN TO TASK OVER PROPOSALS

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) has been criticised for allegedly pushing for mechanisms to regulate religion in South Africa.

But the commission defended its action, which was aimed at stopping alleged abuse by certain churches.

A committee chaired by Prof Musa Xulu comprising representatives from various religions has been tasked with getting religious leaders to self-regulate.

That is a sequel to the CRL Rights Commission's investigations into the commercialisation of religion and abuse of people's belief systems.

The inquiry revealed a series of alarming incidents that garnered national attention, triggering intermittent community outrage.