CRL Section 22 committee: The Chair walks – and the mask slips

Written by: Gillian Fraser

Two months ago, we warned that the CRL’s Section 22 process looked less like “self-regulation” and more like a fast-track for state control over the Church. In January, the man chosen to chair the committee proved the point. Rev Prof Musa Xulu resigned – publicly and unequivocally – citing interference, intimidation, and a predetermined agenda that threatened religious freedom. “I have decided … to resign as chairperson of the Section 22 Committee … in the interests of transparency, constitutional accountability, and personal integrity,” he said.

Consultation or intimidation?
He also describes a toxic atmosphere where dissenters were labelled “disruptive elements”, where pentecostal and charismatic churches faced open hostility, and where talk of SAPS, policing, and even teargas surfaced during planning for “consultations”. “This is not consultation. This is intimidation,” Musa said. That’s not how you build trust with the Body of Christ – it’s how you fracture it.

Who was represented?
Remember the claim that the committee “represents 45 million Christians”? Musa calls it a myth. Major denominations repudiated the supposed representation; the South African Council of Churches wasn’t formally involved; and The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa’s participation was contested by its own constituency. In other words, the loudest megaphone tried to drown out the biggest part of the Church.

How the fraternals responded
SACOFF’s response was measured but firm. They won’t adjudicate every allegation, but they say Musa’s statement explicitly confirmed long-standing concerns – irregularities, interference, and a drift from true self-regulation to state control. They’re demanding full transparency on the committee’s legal basis, composition, and mandate, and a reset towards voluntary, sector-led mechanisms that strengthen religious freedom rather than smother it. Amen to that.

The bigger picture behind this
As for the broader picture: many of you have written to say you feel a tightening fist – on family, parental rights, and the Church. Errol Naidoo shared an opinion piece arguing that this is ideological, pointing to policy moves that weaken Biblical marriage and centralise social power in the state. No one can ignore the pattern of control. The Section 22 saga just blew the whistle.

Honouring Musa’s courage
Let’s also honour Musa. He could have kept quiet, enjoyed the title, and looked away. Instead, he stood up, told the truth, and stepped down with a clean conscience: “For these reasons, I hereby tender my resignation … I do so with sadness, but with a clear conscience.” That’s costly obedience. That’s what shepherds do.

What this means right now
Where does this leave us? First, we need to be clear-eyed. A “final draft” was pushed out without proper approval, the process appears compromised, and public trust is broken. Second, we must be courageous. Scripture anchors us: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). That doesn’t mean anarchy – it means we refuse any attempt by the state to insert itself into doctrine, governance, and the internal life of Christ’s Church. Third, we must be constructive. We have always maintained that real self-regulation belongs to the Church – rooted in Scripture, history, and accountability among believers, not directives from a Chapter 9 chair’s office.

The bottom line
We said it from the start: when government organs start talking about “self-regulation” while holding the pen, the Church must watch and pray. Musa has blown the whistle. Now it’s our turn to stand, speak, and seek a solution that honours Christ and our Constitution – without fear, without favour, and without the state in the pulpit.

What can you do now?

PRAY

• Pray for Prof Musa Xulu – protection, peace, and provision as he tells the truth (2 Thes 3:3).
• Pray for the CRL, Parliament, and the Presidency – for repentance where needed, and wisdom to uphold true religious freedom (Pro 21:1).
• Pray for unity and courage in the Church – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…” (2 Tim 1:7).

ACT

• Contact your denominational leaders and ask them to publicly reject any state-driven oversight of doctrine and governance.
• Write to the CRL and your MP calling for full transparency on the Section 22 Committee’s legal basis, composition, and mandate – and for the process to be halted and reset under genuine, sector-led self-regulation.
• Support credible freedom-of-religion advocates who defend the Church in the courts and in Parliament.
• Pastors: teach on the Lordship of Christ over His Church, Biblical eldership, church discipline, and financial integrity. Strengthen in-house accountability so wolves have nowhere to hide.

• Follow updates from JOY! and reputable Christian legal voices.
• Read primary documents before believing spin.
• Encourage discernment in your congregations.

This article is featured in the February/March 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za

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Date published: 26/02/2026
Feature images sourced from article

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