According to community members, the church tent should have been demolished months ago.
RESIDENTS in Kaapstad Weg in Beaconsfield have threatened to erect shacks next to an illegal church that has been operating since August 2020.
The Spirit of Faith Church was reportedly granted permission to use the plot only for its crusade period of two weeks.
The church, however, previously indicated that it had a standing arrangement with the municipality.
The Sol Plaatje Municipality dismissed the claims and said its arrangement with the church had long expired.
Residents said they were disappointed with the municipality after it failed to demolish the church after serving it with an eviction notice.
The municipality admitted in a previously published article that the church was stationed in a non-residential area. It also highlighted the fact that the structure was built under high-voltage electricity cables.
Municipal spokesperson Sello Matsie said records indicate that the church applied for specific dates to hold church services.
“Nothing further and those dates have expired. They have been repeatedly informed that any arrangements with the municipality have expired,” said Matsie.
“The municipality reserves its rights to take the matter to court.”
According to community members, the church tent should have been demolished months ago. “It is disturbing our peace because of the noise it makes.
“We have been advised against putting up shacks in the identified area on several occasions, however, we need a place to stay,” one resident said.
They added that they have tried to work with the municipality by calling it whenever the church leadership was at the church.
