South Africa threatens to imprison Oyakhilome

HEAD of South Africa’s Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, has said Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Believers Love World Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, risks a jail sentence in the country.

In an interview with News24, Mkhwanazi-Xaluva accused Oyakhilome and heads of some churches of failing to disclose monies received from members.

“Some of these religious leaders will face prison if they do not comply and we have been clear about our course of action,” she was quoted as saying. Mkhwanazi-Xaluva reportedly said Oyakhilome had indicated that he would fight the commission in court before making his records public. “If he intends on that route, we are ready. He will have to face the same fate as the others who refuse to hand over their financial records.

“These people take money from people. What are they doing with that money? We want to know. We will not back down. Some religious leaders have also threatened the commission, which is leading us toward the legal route. Saps have been notified already. We are forced to take the legal route because some of them are not complying and we cannot be held to ransom by a few,” she said.