ANC reaffirms support for religious freedom and church self-regulation [SOUND]

# The ANC says it does not support state control of churches and believes religious institutions should remain free to manage their own affairs within the Constitution. The party was responding to concerns raised by the South African Church Defenders, who plan to march against proposed church regulation by the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu says religious institutions must protect people’s rights, dignity and wellbeing while maintaining their independence: