What you can do to help: The deadline for objections is 13 July so please do not delay. We need all pagans who identify as Witches (or even those who don't) to lodge objections against the bill.
Together with the South African Pagan Council (SAPC), Sapra has launched a national call for all South African Pagans who self-identify as Witches to register as interested and affected parties and to lodge objections against the Bill.
To register as an I&AP contact: Advocate Bongani Bongo (013) 766 6584 (Nelspruit, Mpumalanga) bbongo@mpg.gov.za
For more information contact The South African Pagan Rights Alliance.
You can use the following template to submit your objection.
Office of the Premier
Mpumalanga Provincial Government
For attention: Advocates B. Thomas and H.M. Mbatha and L. Pretorius
With reference to: P.15/5/15 Comment as an Interested and Affected Party: Mpumalanga Witchcraft Suppression Bill 2007.
I, INSERT NAME HERE, hereby formally object to the proposed Witchcraft Suppression Bill on the following grounds:
1. Any bill that provides for the suppression of Witchcraft is in direct contravention with the South African Constitution and Bill of rights (which allow religious freedom to all)
2. The proposed bill will criminalize members of a recognized and established religious minority
3. It denies the members of this minority religious community freedom of religion and belief
4. The bill will create a threat to the dignity, and well being and safety of Witch/Wiccan religious communities throughout South Africa
5. The bill will misrepresent a Witches worldview and belief system and will create discrimination and division within communities
I respectfully request that this bill is not passed with the current wording - and that alternate solutions are found to deal with the issues at hand.
Regards
INSERT NAME
aka INSERT PAGAN NAME
TELEPHONE NUMBER
ADDRESS (POSTAL IS FINE)