In a week where South Africans were shocked by the unravelling of staged ‘miracle’ performances, President Cyril Ramaphosa called spiritual leaders to task for mismanaging the power of faith.
As reported by EWN, the president was critical of people who assume the image of a spiritual leader, only to take advantage of their blind followers.
This, Ramaphosa said, is the responsibility of South Africa — to get rid of fraudsters who use faith to target vulnerable people.
Why regulating religion in South Africa is a bad idea
However, it is difficult to do this and the president understands. One direct approach would be to regulate faith-based organisations.
In the early parts of 2018, the Commission for the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Commission) tabled a “regulations for religion” submission at the cooperative governance and traditional affairs’ portfolio committee.
This, according to Freedom of Religion South Africa, would allow for the CRL Commission to have executive powers over the conduct of religious organisations in the country.
Cyril Ramaphosa sends a warning to bogus religious leaders
However, this submission was thrown out by the committee, citing that it would require the amendment of the CRL Act, as well as the Constitution.
Ramaphosa shares the same sentiment. He believes that it hampers on the people’s freedom of religion.
However, he did warn those who use religion to profit from vulnerable, unsuspecting people, against bringing the name of God into disrepute.
