From pulpit to courtroom: Should SA vet pastors?
JOHANNESBURG - The release of controversial televangelist Timothy Omotoso from custody has reignited public debate around the regulation of religious leaders in South Africa.
Omotoso was released after a magistrate ruled that the Department of Home Affairs failed to follow proper arrest procedures over the weekend.
His detention came just weeks after he was acquitted of 32 serious charges, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering.
While the legal battle continues to cast a shadow over his name, a broader question has emerged: Should South Africa begin vetting pastors and religious leaders, especially those who lead mega-churches?
This issue gained even more traction after MK Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu was seen visiting Malawi to meet Shepherd Bushiri, a self-proclaimed prophet and fugitive wanted in South Africa on charges including rape and fraud.
On the South African Morning, viewers were asked whether religious leaders like Omotoso and Bushiri should face more scrutiny before setting up churches in the country.
The overwhelming response: Yes, but it's complicated.
'Opening a church should come with restrictions,' wrote Tsholofelo Sayda Nowalaza. 'Much like opening a club or tavern, you should need a licence.'
Others echoed that sentiment, saying the lack of regulation allows some pastors to exploit vulnerable followers.
'They know South Africans believe in miracles,' commented Casanova NdiDarkandlovely Mate, 'and they take advantage of that.'
Lucas Lehoko suggested that churches follow structured systems similar to the Roman Catholic Church, which imposes stricter internal oversight.
But not everyone agreed.
Some, like Ndala Mukamba Jupsy, argued that foreign pastors are unfairly targeted once they gain influence. 'Why is it always the successful ones? Suddenly there's a rape case. We know how this works,' he said.
Others questioned whether the core issue lies in religion or broader state failure.
'It's not just about vetting. Corruption is the real problem,' said Landile Vika. 'The church is losing its meaning because the system is broken.'
A few commenters drew even starker lines. 'Jesus Christ instituted one church - the Catholic Church,' wrote MichaelMGJ. 'Everything else is a business.'
And for those who still believe in the spiritual calling of modern-day pastors, the regulation debate feels misplaced.
'You don't vote for someone to be a prophet,' wrote Major's Son Tapiwa. 'It's a calling from God, not a government job.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
KZN Department of Transport employs 300 interns in skills revolution drive
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport Siboniso Duma announced that 300 graduates will be employed by the department. Image: Supplied In a bold move to address soaring youth unemployment, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has employed 300 graduates through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coastal KZN Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College. Announced by MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, the initiative forms part of the department's 'Skills Revolution' campaign, aimed at turning young people into active participants in building the province's infrastructure and economy. 'Our view is that with the right skills steeped in mentorship and practical experience, young people will be the nation builders with the capacity to create a prosperous province for future generations,' said Duma during a media briefing at Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House. Duma said the partnership with Coastal TVET College would offer artisan training, hands-on placement within the department, and skills development for young staff to take leadership roles in infrastructure projects. 'We are determined to end the vicious cycle of graduates who are unemployable,' he said. According to Duma, the department has allocated R30.1 million to pay salaries for the 300 interns, many of whom will be deployed to assist with road network and infrastructure rollout projects. 'We want to match the skill of a young person with the right job that should be executed to strengthen service delivery, drive rural and township economies, and ultimately grow the economy of the province,' he added. This intervention comes at a time when youth unemployment in South Africa has reached alarming levels. 'Youth unemployment has surged to 62.4% in the first quarter of 2023. This means that nearly two-thirds of young South Africans aged 15–24 cannot find work,' Duma said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Public Servants Association (PSA) welcomed the initiative, describing it as a 'critical milestone in reshaping the trajectory of young professionals in South Africa.' 'This initiative reflects a transformative vision for inclusive economic growth and public-sector renewal,' said the PSA KZN provincial manager, Mlungisi Ndlovu. 'It demonstrates the Department's foresight in bridging the divide between formal education and practical workplace experience.' Ndlovu urged other government departments to follow suit, saying, 'This initiative represents a blueprint for progressive governance. Let this be the dawn of a new era where public institutions become incubators of talent, innovation, and ethical leadership.' The union called for the interns to be embedded in structured succession planning and mentored by 'qualified mentors and certified coaches with a proven record of ethical leadership and professional excellence.' THE MERCURY
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
EFF slams Ramaphosa's call for national dialogue as publicity stunt
EFF said it will engage in the dialogue but insists the country already held one in May 2024. President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for a national convention to set the agenda for a national dialogue has drawn mixed reactions, with the EFF slamming it as a 'meaningless publicity stunt by a limping President'. In his announcement on Tuesday night, Ramaphosa stated that the national dialogue has been discussed by various national leaders and other stakeholders for some time. National dialogue The national convention is scheduled to take place on 15 August. Ramaphosa mentioned that the national dialogue will drive progress toward the country's Vision 2030 and lay the foundation for the next phase of South Africa's National Development Plan. 'We expect that the National Convention will finalise a compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all South Africans.' ALSO READ: Ramaphosa announces 'Eminent Persons Group' to guide national dialogue – These are the people appointed National dialogue nothing new The EFF said while it will participate in all aspects of the national dialogue, including attending every government programme, South Africa had its national dialogue in May 2024. 'That national dialogue led to the people of this country reducing the former liberation movement into just one of many political parties in this country without a majority mandate to lead, because they have failed!' 'False impression' The party said the national dialogue is yet 'another attempt to give the country a false impression of work being done.' 'The EFF views the pronouncement of a national dialogue as a meaningless publicity stunt by a limping president who is leading a limping former liberation movement. 'Furthermore, the EFF rejects completely and with contempt the appointed individuals who will form part of what is referred to as Eminent Persons, as there is nothing eminent about most of these individuals,' the red berets said. ALSO READ: 'What has gone wrong?' – Mbeki, Biko foundations call for national dialogue amid 'political crisis' 'Long overdue step' Good Party secretary-general Brett Herron said Ramaphosa's announcement of a national dialogue is a 'long-overdue step toward renewing South Africa's social contract'. 'The president's recognition that South Africans from every sector of society must have a voice in shaping our future is significant. However, we must guard against a process that becomes performative or elite-driven. 'A truly people-led dialogue must reach beyond the boardrooms and podiums, into townships, rural villages, informal settlements, and inner-city blocks, where the most urgent issues are felt most acutely, Herron said. ALSO READ: Mbeki says issue of renewal of ANC 'not an invention' [VIDEO] 'Forging unity' The ANC welcomed Ramaphosa's announcement of a national dialogue, stating the initiative marks an important national effort to 'forge unity, rebuild trust, and renew the country's collective commitment to social and economic transformation'. National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the ANC has always placed dialogue at the centre of the struggle for liberation and nation-building. 'The ANC calls on its members, alliance partners, mass democratic formations, and all South Africans to actively participate in this National Dialogue. It is through open, principled engagement that we will define a renewed national vision and construct a new social compact anchored in shared responsibility'. Mbeki proposal The national dialogue was first proposed by former president Thabo Mbeki on the eve of the country's national and provincial elections in May 2024. Mbeki, while on the campaign trail, suggested to the ANC that it convene a national convention after the elections to address the country's problems. Diversity Ramaphosa said the national dialogue will represent the diversity of the South African nation, including representatives from government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, religious leaders, cultural workers, sports organisations, women, youth and community voices, among others. The president said South Africans will, in the months following the national convention, be encouraged to be in dialogue to define the nation's path into the future. He stated that the views, concerns, and proposals that emerge from this conversation will be compiled and presented at a second National Convention, scheduled to take place at the beginning of 2026. NOW READ: Ramaphosa defends transformation: 'We must dispel the false notion'
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Apartheid to blame for South Africa's stagnant economy
South Africa's stagnant economy in 2025 is in the spotlight once again. Commenting in a parliamentary Q&A session, President Cyril Ramaphosa made statements about the legacy of apartheid being to blame for the country's single-digit growth outlook. Moreover, the President added that South Africa's stagnant economy cannot be blamed on black economic empowerment (BEE). In fact, he asserts that these policies are solving the problem of inequalities from the past. 400% inflation since the end of apartheid in South Africa means that 30-years ago R1 was equivalent to R5 today. Image: File 'I am always surprised when I hear that policies of BEE militate against the growth of our economy. I am working from a starting point that our economy was held back over many years by the racist policies of the past. The black majority were seen only as labourers by the National Party. They were not even seen as consumers, nor were they active players in the economic landscape of the country,' argued Ramaphosa. As such, South Africa's stagnant economy of today can be blamed on racist policies that prevented black South Africans from playing a meaningful role in their own country, reports Daily Investor . Moreover, Ramaphosa added that 'black people cannot only play the consumer role,' they must be 'actively and economically productive' in the country as well. The IMF and World Bank would like to see a more even spread of the South African economy. However, they also acknowledge the burden BEE places on foreign investment. Image: File Talking about South Africa's stagnant economy in 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said economic ownership was not evenly spread. 'There is still a small group of privileged white people who continue to own the means of production. All the while, the unemployment rate in the country increases,' said the IMF. As such, the President has advocated to return land to those who worked it originally. 'We still need to ensure that the harm done to our people when they were forcibly removed from their land should be addressed. We must undo the effects of Bantu education, transform our schools, end illiteracy, and help people find decent work. To tackle high unemployment in our country, we must remove the barriers that kept black South Africans from full participation in the economy,' Ramaphosa said. Nearly 45% of the population rely on SASSA grants, which makes them largely inactive in the economy. Image: File Alternatively, the World Bank believes BEE – while well-intentioned – has imposed an excessive burden on the country's institutions. Likewise, the policies have opened up the door to corruption, and have contributed to South Africa's stagnant economy. Especially during the financially damaging era of state capture under former President Zuma. 'Policymakers have attempted to correct the market or historical failures by intervening through hard regulations, such as BEE. However, today, these interventions have become so cumbersome that they smother the implementation capacity of the public administration,' concluded the World Bank. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
