The SA Church Defenders have filed papers in the Johannesburg High Court seeking an interdict to stop the CRL Rights Commission’s ongoing investigations and activities. The group has also called for Mkhwanazi‑Xaluva’s removal, accusing her of poor performance.
However, legal opinions obtained from Parliament state that the Commission’s actions fall squarely within its constitutional mandate, which empowers it to promote and protect the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities and ensure accountability among organisations operating within these sectors.
Briefing the media in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi‑Xaluva reiterated that the CRL Rights Commission will continue with its work unless the courts direct otherwise. She dismissed suggestions that the Commission had acted outside its mandate.
“The Constitution does not allow you to abuse other people. It does not allow you to deceive people. It does not allow you to violate other people’s rights,” she said. “There is nothing you can lean on in the Constitution of this country that allows you to violate people. It is not a free‑for‑all in this country, and we are saying it is never going to be a free‑for‑all.”
The CRL Rights Commission has recently been conducting investigations into alleged abuses within certain religious institutions, leading to criticism from some church groups who claim the Commission is overreaching. Mkhwanazi‑Xaluva has maintained that such scrutiny is necessary where community rights may be at risk.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
