Johannesburg — The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) has told the government that plans to create a religious oversight committee under Section 22 of the Constitution could “infringe upon the religious freedoms” guaranteed to all citizens.
In a statement released on Tuesday, SAMNET said the yet — to-be-defined panel would “oversee religious practices and ensure they align with national laws and values,” but argued any regulation must respect South Africa’s diverse faiths and uphold the principle of separating church and state.
The network called for “transparent and inclusive discussions” before the committee’s structure or powers are decided, adding that regulations “should not create a hierarchy of religions or favour one faith over another.”.
Officials have not released details of the proposed committee or responded to SAMNET’s concerns.
Source: iol
