Oyakhilome risks jail for religious commercialisation

By Ahmed Boulor

Religious commercialisation has come under severe scrutiny lately, as it is seen as one of the ways the beliefs of people all over the world are been abused.

In the guise of reaching their followers, religious houses often banked on the mass media, especially radio, television, audio and video cassettes, tracts, pamphlets and books to perpetrate the commercialisation of religion.

In recent times, South African authorities have risen to the challenge to curtail the trend, and according to reports, a number of religious leaders, including Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (the founder of Christ Embassy, South Africa) could be jailed if they fail to open up their financial records for scrutiny.

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities disclosed that several religious leaders in the country could be jailed if they fail to submit their financial statements from 2012 till date for scrutiny by the commission.

According to the commission, it was investigating the commercialisation of religion and abuse of people’s beliefs and had summoned several churches to appear before it with their ordination certificate, registration certificate, bank statements, and annual financial statements from 2012.

However, Pastor Oyakhilome has indicated that he would take a legal action to stop the commission from forcing him to open his books.

Speaking on the development, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, spokesman for the commission, while speaking to South Africa based News24, said the commission had been forced to take a legal route because some of the church leaders had failed to comply with their directive.

“Some of these religious leaders will face prison if they do not comply and we have been clear about our course of action,” Mkhwanazi-Xaluva told News24.

“Some religious leaders have also threatened the commission, which is leading us towards the legal route,” he added.

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