South
Africa has issued a threat to throw revered founder of Believers'
Loveworld Inc, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome into jail if he does not comply
with some instructions.
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Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
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The South African government has threatened a jail term for Chris
Oyakhilome if his church, Christ Embassy, fails to release its financial
records, the South African based News24 is reporting.
According to Premium Times, that the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities said several religious leaders in the country, including Oyakhilome, could be jailed if they fail to comply with the demands of the commission.
The commission said it was investigating the commercialization 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.
A Commission official, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said the commission had been forced to take a legal route because some of the church leaders had failed to comply with their directive.
He told News24 that: “Some of these religious leaders will face prison if they do not comply and we have been clear about our course of action.”
“Some religious leaders have also threatened the commission, which is leading us towards the legal route.”
However, Mr. Oyakhilome, the founder of Christ Embassy, had indicated he would take a legal action to stop the commission from forcing it to open his books, according to Mkhwanazi-Xaluva.
Christ Embassy had earlier sought for an extension of time to enable it review its financial records.
Ms. Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said they were also considering filing charges of intimidation against religious leaders who had publicly threatened the commission.
She wondered why some pastors would take money from their followers and, yet, refuse to provide their financial records.
She said: “These people take money from people.
“What are they doing with that money? We want to know. We will not back down.
According to Premium Times, that the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities said several religious leaders in the country, including Oyakhilome, could be jailed if they fail to comply with the demands of the commission.
The commission said it was investigating the commercialization 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.
A Commission official, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said the commission had been forced to take a legal route because some of the church leaders had failed to comply with their directive.
He told News24 that: “Some of these religious leaders will face prison if they do not comply and we have been clear about our course of action.”
“Some religious leaders have also threatened the commission, which is leading us towards the legal route.”
However, Mr. Oyakhilome, the founder of Christ Embassy, had indicated he would take a legal action to stop the commission from forcing it to open his books, according to Mkhwanazi-Xaluva.
Christ Embassy had earlier sought for an extension of time to enable it review its financial records.
Ms. Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said they were also considering filing charges of intimidation against religious leaders who had publicly threatened the commission.
She wondered why some pastors would take money from their followers and, yet, refuse to provide their financial records.
She said: “These people take money from people.
“What are they doing with that money? We want to know. We will not back down.
“If he (Mr. Oyakhilome) 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.”
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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