KZN church leaders set date for massive religious freedom march in Durban

Church leaders taking part in a march. A provincial Christian march is set to be held in KwaZulu-Natal on March 12. In response, the South African Church Defenders (SACD) said the move was aimed at imposing a regulatory regime over churches, doctrine, governance structures and religious leadership.

The SACD said it will lead the provincial Christian march in KwaZulu-Natal on March 12, bringing together pastors, church leaders, and believers from across the province in a peaceful and unified demonstration in defence of constitutional religious freedoms. Participants will gather at King Dinuzulu Park in the Durban CBD from 9AM, before marching at 10AM to Durban City Hall, it said. The organisation said, “This march takes place amid concerns over attempts by the CRL Rights Commission to regulate churches through proposals requiring compulsory registration and the licensing of pastors—measures that interfere with freedom of religion, church governance, and doctrinal autonomy.” The statement added that these concerns have become urgent, especially after the resignation of Professor Musa Xulu, who alleged that the independence of the Section 22 Committee was compromised due to interference from CRL chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva—creating a hostile environment and pushing the process toward expanded state regulation of churches. Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, in a media briefing in January, defended the work of the Section 22 Committee and said it is meant to enforce ethical conduct of the religious and linguistic communities and not specifically the church.