On Monday, 10 August 2026, thousands of Christians from across Limpopo Province will gather in Polokwane for the Limpopo Provincial Christian March, organised by the South African Church Defenders (SACD) under the national campaign “Hands Off the Church.” The march represents a united call to defend religious freedom and uphold the constitutional independence of the Church. The Church cannot remain silent while developments with far-reaching implications for religious freedom continue to unfold. The continuation of the CRL Rights Commission’s Section 22 consultation process while aspects of the matter remain before the courts raises serious concerns about the legitimacy, credibility and fairness of the process. SACD further maintains that the current CRL Section 22 Committee does not have a transparent or democratic mandate to speak on behalf of South Africa’s Christian community. Millions of Christians, churches, denominations and independent ministries have never elected or authorised the committee to represent them.
Our Demands
Through the Hands Off the Church campaign, SACD calls for:
- The immediate removal of Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva as Chairperson of the CRL Rights Commission.
- The immediate disbandment of the CRL Section 22 Committee for the Christian sector.
- The suspension of the current Section 22 consultation process pending the outcome of the court review.
- Any future engagement with the Christian community to be transparent, representative and fully compliant with the Constitution.
Why We Are Marching
This march is a peaceful declaration that the Church must remain free to fulfil its God-given mission without unnecessary interference. It is a reaffirmation that:
- Freedom of religion, belief and conscience is a constitutional right.
- The Church must remain independent in matters of doctrine, governance and worship.
- Criminal conduct should be addressed through the law without imposing measures that affect the wider Christian community.
- Christians have both the constitutional right and the moral responsibility to speak when fundamental freedoms are perceived to be under threat.
Our message is clear:
HANDS OFF THE CHURCH
NO TO STATE CONTROL OF RELIGION
NO TO THE REGULATION OF THE CHURCH
DEFEND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
A memorandum outlining these concerns and demands will be delivered to the Office of the Premier on behalf of the churches and Christians participating in the march.
A Call to the Church
SACD calls upon pastors, bishops, apostles, evangelists, church leaders, Christian organisations and believers across Limpopo Province to stand together in defence of the Church.
This march is not about politics. It is about preserving the constitutional freedoms that allow every church to preach the Gospel, govern itself and serve society without undue state interference. The time for silence has passed. The time for peaceful, united and principled action has arrived.
Limpopo Provincial Christian March
Date: Monday, 10 August 2026
Assembly Point: SABC Park, Polokwane
Time: 09:00 AM
Route: Landros Mare Street to the Office of the Premier, Hans van Rensburg Street.
For Christ. For Freedom. For the Church.
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