CRL Rights Commission Launches Section 22 Ad Hoc Committee at Rhema Bible Church to Tackle Religious Sector Abuses and Draft Regulatory Framework

South Africa’s Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) has taken a bold step to address longstanding concerns in the religious sector by launching a Section 22 ad hoc committee. The announcement was made at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg on Thursday, 2 October 2025, marking a key move towards creating a self-regulatory framework to safeguard congregants from exploitation and abuse. The committee, comprising over 10 members from major churches and religious organisations, represents more than 45 million Christians across the country and will travel nationwide to gather input on a code of conduct and regulations.

The launch event, held at one of Johannesburg’s prominent mega-churches, brought together religious leaders, survivors of abuse, and stakeholders to discuss the need for better protections. This comes amid growing calls for oversight in the religious community, where past incidents of exploitation have shocked the nation. As the committee begins its work, church members are encouraged to participate in upcoming consultations to shape a safer environment for worshippers.

Historic Launch at Rhema Bible Church: A Call for Accountability

The CRL Rights Commission officially unveiled the ad hoc committee during a by-invitation-only event at Rhema Bible Church, a venue symbolic of South Africa’s vibrant Christian community. The gathering aimed to kickstart a national conversation on regulating the religious sector, focusing on protecting vulnerable groups like women and children from fraud, abuse, and unethical practices.

CRL Rights Commission representatives emphasised that the committee’s formation under Section 22 of the CRL Act is a response to widespread reports of misconduct in churches. This includes cases where congregants were coerced into harmful acts, such as eating grass, drinking petrol, or being sprayed with insecticides like Doom – all in the name of faith. These shocking events from the past have highlighted the urgent need for safeguards, as existing laws often fail to address such abuses until serious crimes occur.

Committee’s Composition and Mandate: Representing Millions of Christians

The ad hoc committee boasts over 10 members drawn from mega-churches, religious organisations, and civil society groups, collectively representing over 45 million Christians in South Africa. Their primary task is to develop a self-regulatory mechanism and code of conduct to govern the religious sector, ensuring accountability while respecting freedom of religion.

Members will crisscross the country, engaging with religious leaders, congregations, and survivors whose rights have been violated. The goal is to gather diverse perspectives and create a framework that prevents exploitation. As one committee member stated during the launch, “We hope that this process will bury any confusion, any doubt that we are really meant to look at how we can protect our members and then create a safe space for members who come to our churches.”

The committee has pledged to fight and protect congregants from fraud, abuse, and violations of human rights. “However, where human rights of people, in particular the vulnerable, women and children, where law is broken, fraud is committed and abuse takes place, this is a major concern and completely unacceptable,” a representative from the St Anglican Church and other committee members expressed in a joint statement of support.

Survivor Testimonies: Voices of Those Abused in the Name of Faith

The launch featured powerful testimonies from survivors, underscoring the human cost of unregulated practices. One survivor, identified as Slash, shared a harrowing experience: “I stand here today saying I do not trust any man that will come to me and say God says about you because the man I trusted that said God says about you ended up saying take off your panties.”

Such stories highlight the vulnerability of congregants, particularly women and children, who are often manipulated under the guise of spiritual guidance. The committee aims to address these by incorporating survivor input into the regulatory framework, ensuring protections against sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and other harms.

Past Scandals Fuel the Push for Regulation

South Africa has been horrified in the past by images of congregants eating grass, drinking petrol, or being doomed – all directed by self-proclaimed prophets. These incidents exposed gaps in the law, where abuses go unchecked until they cross into criminal territory. The CRL Rights Commission noted that “we are in trouble as Christians in this country,” as a few rogue elements tarnish the faith without adequate controls.

The ad hoc committee’s work is seen as a way to self-regulate the sector, preventing such outrages while preserving religious freedom. It aligns with the CRL’s broader mandate to promote and protect cultural, religious, and linguistic rights.

Timeline and Next Steps: From Draft to Parliament

The CRL Commission expects the committee to produce a draft self-regulation mechanism and code of conduct within about a year. This draft will undergo further consultations before being submitted to Parliament as a final document.

Church members and the public are urged to participate in the meetings the committee will hold across the country. This inclusive approach aims to ensure the regulations reflect the needs of diverse Christian communities.

Broader Implications: Strengthening Oversight in the Religious Sector

The formation of this committee represents a significant step towards accountability in South Africa’s religious landscape. By addressing corruption, fraud, and abuse, it seeks to create a safer space for worshippers while upholding constitutional rights.

Religious leaders at the launch, including those from the St Anglican Church, expressed strong support: “We members of the committee, the St. Angar scientist and church hereby express our unequivocal support for the initiative to establish a consultative committee for the development of a coherent and effective regulatory framework.”

As the committee begins its nationwide engagements, South Africans are encouraged to join the conversation to help shape a more ethical and protective religious environment. For more updates on the CRL Rights Commission’s work, visit their official website or follow local news channels.

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