Residents moan about mosque

Many residents were not comfortable with the short notice period they received. Resident Jacqui Thompson was told the proposal came through when councillor Lillian Kekana of ward 109 was on leave. All proposals must be sent to the councillor for approval. However, when asked for comment, councillor Kekana said she was not on leave when the proposal came through. “After it was sent to me, I sent it to the community. I objected [the proposal] because of traffic congestion. It is my duty to communicate on behalf of all the residents,” said Kekana. An informal meeting was initiated by resident Steven Blend. Twenty residents, mosque committe members, ward councillor Lillian Kekana, and chairperson of Sector 4’s Sandton Community Police Forum Judith Taylor were present to discuss the matter. The residents voiced their concerns about the impact of additional traffic on Bowling Road, further noise, future expansion of the mosque onto adjacent properties, construction of minarets above the building and sewage build up. According to town planner Garphil Surtee, he was told there were Muslim families in the Morningside Manor, Gallo Manor and Wendywood areas that needed a place of prayer. The property was bought by members of the Muslim community and an application for rezoning has been made. Once approval is obtained, the house, which already has most of its internal walls removed, would be used for daily prayers and an after-school facility for children. It was noted at the meeting that once the mosque was fully established, there may be between 200 to 300 congregants in attendance during peak times, and parking for up to 60 cars. The committee explained that the mosque would not have any loud speakers or external speakers for call to prayer. “We are applying to [the city] council to rezone the space from a residential one to a property of education and worship,” said Surtee. Objections from the community are now closed, as 5 February was the final day for objections to be lodged.