South Africa’s Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) has raised serious concerns about religious and cultural leaders who use their positions of authority to exploit followers through abuse, coercion and financial manipulation.
The warning follows a series of investigations that uncovered disturbing practices ranging from physical and sexual abuse to financial exploitation and the denial of healthcare and education.
According to the Commission, such practices do not fall under the constitutional protection of religious freedom. Instead, they represent abuses of power that violate the rights and dignity of vulnerable individuals.
Faith used to justify abuse and control
Section 31 of South Africa’s Constitution protects the right of communities to practise their religion and culture collectively. However, the Commission stressed that these protections are not unlimited.
When religious authority is used to intimidate, manipulate or exploit people, it moves beyond legitimate religious practice and enters the realm of human rights violations.
Investigators documented cases in which congregants were allegedly instructed to eat grass, drink petrol or submit to the spraying of insecticides as demonstrations of faith.
Officials also highlighted growing concern over religious leaders encouraging followers to abandon modern medical treatment. In some instances, believers suffering from chronic illnesses reportedly stopped taking essential medication after being told to rely solely on “holy water”, “anointing oil” or spiritual intervention.
The Commission warned that rejecting healthcare in favour of unverified spiritual remedies places lives at risk and may contribute to preventable deaths.
Children have been particularly vulnerable in several of the cases investigated. Some families influenced by radical teachings reportedly denied their children access to vaccinations, routine healthcare and formal education.
Financial exploitation and isolated communities
Beyond physical harm, the Commission found evidence of extensive financial exploitation.
Some religious leaders allegedly persuaded followers to resign from their jobs, sell personal assets and hand over their savings to churches or spiritual organisations.
In certain cases, congregants were reportedly required to submit monthly payslips to verify that they were contributing the expected amount in tithes and donations.
One of the most widely publicised examples involved Seven Angel Ministries in Engcobo, Eastern Cape. The church came under scrutiny after seven brothers who claimed to have been chosen by God allegedly convinced followers to surrender significant amounts of money and personal property.
Investigators later discovered concerns regarding the welfare of children living within the community, many of whom had reportedly been removed from formal schooling.
Another recent case involved the unregistered iKhaya Labafundi mission in KwaZulu-Natal. Authorities found that members had isolated themselves from mainstream society, abandoned employment opportunities and stopped receiving medical treatment based on the teachings of the organisation’s leader.
The situation prompted intervention under the Children’s Act after officials found minors living in unsafe conditions and being denied access to education. Nineteen children were eventually placed under protective care.
CRL Rights Commission Chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said one of the greatest challenges is that many victims do not perceive themselves as victims, making reporting and intervention far more difficult.
She emphasised that genuine religious freedom should never be used as a shield for exploitation, abuse or criminal conduct.
The Commission maintains that protecting constitutional rights requires distinguishing between legitimate religious practice and harmful conduct that infringes on the rights, health and dignity of others.
Source: CRL Rights Commission