THE government has granted ministers of the Church of Scientology the right to perform marriages, ending a 40-year battle by Scientologists for legalisation of their weddings. Home Affairs department spokesman Hennie Meyer said 12 Scientology ministers had been granted the right and it would be granted to others on application. The Reverend Heber Jentzsch, president of the Church of Scientology International, welcomed the move. South Africa had emerged as a leader in establishing the rights of all religions, he said in a statement. The Church of Scientology has been trying since 1960 to have the South African government recognise marriages performed by their ministers. The decision in South Africa follows other recent victories for the controversial movement. The European Court of Justice ruled in its favour last month, saying a French law restricting foreign investment that was used against Scientology was contrary to European law. Critics accuse Scientologists of practising hard-sell techniques, having undue influence over members and harassing its critics.