In the name of the Father

It has been a tough six months for Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, which has conducted countrywide hearings into the commercialisation of religion.

As the commission held its final hearing in Mpumalanga on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi-Xaluva expressed relief – not so much because the daunting task was complete, but more because the insults and death threats she’d had to endure during the probe were stressful.

Speaking to City Press on Thursday, Mkhwanazi-Xalavu said this had been the most difficult period.

“We went in expecting men of God to behave in a certain way. But we were shocked at the violence, lies, insults and death threats directed at us. One would have thought that the clergy would be an example to their congregants, but what we saw in some instances was pure thuggery.”

Mkhwanazi-Xaluva had to seek police protection in November after several religious leaders arrived at the commission’s headquarters in Braamfontein with “armed” men. At the time, armed guards of Prophet Paseka (Mboro) Motsoeneng of Incredible Happenings Ministry apparently tried to force their way into the hearing. Prior to that, congregants from other churches had marched outside her office brandishing placards stating she was “anti Christ and a devil worshipper”.

Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said: “During those days, it was difficult to go home because I was worried about what those people would do to me.”

Still, she soldiered on with a team of 10 members. They held public hearings in all nine provinces.

The commission summoned various religious leaders – including those from the Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, African Traditional Religion, Rastafari and Bahá’í faiths.

All were required to produce their ordination certificate, the registration certificate of their place of worship, bank statements and annual financial statements dating from 2012. Most leaders submitted all the required documents, except for a few charismatic churches, including Mboro’s church and prophet Samuel Radebe’s Revelation Church of God.

The commission has opened a case against the two leaders and is compiling its findings into a report, which will be handed to the Speaker of Parliament by April 30. It will include recommendations and proposed legislation to regulate the operations of religious organisations.