As calls for the closure of foreign-owned spaza shops gain momentum, Archbishop Ndikandafhi Makhuvha has stirred controversy by urging the government to also expel unregistered foreign pastors.
Makhuvha, an executive member of the African Union Churches Parliament—an umbrella organisation for various church denominations with oversight responsibilities—made the call amid growing concerns over activities damaging the reputation of established churches.
He expressed frustration over the proliferation of unregistered, "fly-by-night" churches across the country. "Things are getting out of hand, and if we do not stand up to stop this, no one will. Most of these churches are run by foreigners who are either here on work permits or in the country illegally, and many are not even registered," he said.
Makhuvha criticised individuals without religious training or experience for coming to South Africa to start independent churches. "These churches are not affiliated with any recognised body, and the pastors have sole control over their congregants. They collect untaxed money, which is smuggled out of the country in cash. This must end. We are calling on the government to regulate churches for the sake of our people, who are being exploited and subjected to unorthodox practices, like drinking petrol and eating snakes," he said.
According to Makhuvha, the Vhembe District alone has more than a thousand unregistered churches, most of them led by foreigners and some by unqualified locals. "Young, unordained men now own big churches without any formal training. They disrespect elders by demanding to be addressed with honorific titles, leading to situations where a 20-year-old refers to a pensioner as their child. This is unacceptable. These so-called pastors are only interested in money. They convince people to surrender their pensions under the pretence of avoiding curses," he added.
Makhuvha proposed that foreign pastors should work under the supervision of local pastors and that their stay in the country should be facilitated by their respective embassies. "We are fed up, and we are calling on the government to deport all illegal pastors and shut down unregistered churches. If this issue persists, we will escalate it to the highest offices. We have no hidden agenda, but we insist that things must be done properly," he said.