UPDATE: Al Jama-ah calls for calm as tempers flare over Ballito’s Townsend Park

Al Jama-ah spokesperson for KZN Mahommed Ebrahim Dawood is calling on residents to not allow politicians to sow division and create animosity between local Muslims and the Ballito residents who are petitioning to ‘Save Townsend Park’.

Following KwaDukuza council’s decision to sell 4000 of the 15 000 sq meter park to the Zululand Islamic Society for R3.6 million, tempers have been high with residents protesting against the sale of public open space which plays host to an array of recreational activities.

After a community meeting last week, hundreds of residents vowed to stand against any development at the park.

A petition has already collected 2,278 signatures and the number continues to rise.

Dawood said he was in the process of meeting with all stakeholders and was “confident we can find a peaceful solution”.

WATCH: Petition launched for Ballito #SaveOurPark campaign

According to Dawood the political party’s manifesto upholds the promotion of a peaceful society and the sustainability of the environment for future generations.

He said that the fuelling of unrest has been condemned in Islam: “In the Holy Quran it is stated that fuelling unrest is worse than committing murder.”

The longtime Shakaskraal resident criticized KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) for “fuelling unrest” by pitting residents of different faiths and political parties against one another by continuing to insist that the much-needed mosque be built in Townsend Park.

“Muslims need a place of worship in Ballito, that is not being disputed.”

Pointing to the year-long fight in Stanger town over the recreational grounds that were sold to Vivian Reddy for the building of the KwaDukuza Mall, Dawood said KDM had in that case “bulldozed” their own agenda over the needs of the community.

Dawood said about 120 Ballito residents of Muslim faith currently met to pray in a local mussalah (usually a room or “prayer hall” smaller than a mosque that is used for conducting the five mandatory daily prayers but is not suitable for the Friday prayers or the Eid prayers).

Legal options

Dolphin Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association (DOCRRA) chairperson Ken Lever said the organisation had hired a lawyer to look into the KDM processes.

“We are trying to find the original title deeds which were from 1958, therefore they are not in any electronic system so they have to be searched for at the deeds offices. We understand that the park was given to the people of Ballito by the Townsend family in 1958 so we need more detail and to find if there were conditions attached.”

Lever said he had written to the KDM municipal manager three times regarding the issue. He said the objection was not about a mosque but about a public open space being sold off.

“If this was a flat, a church or a hall, we would still object. We are now also in touch with real estate agencies to try and source alternative land in Ballito for the mosque to be built.”

KDM media liaison officer Sipho Mkhize said residents should not panic and appreciate the process.

“There is still a process to follow before the ownership of the land is transferred. We still have to allow the MEC to comment and the place would need to be rezoned. This is where we will look at residents’ comments because that process will affect the rate structure. The community needs to appreciate diversity on this issue and it does not mean that if we approve this sale that it would mean we would invite more and more developments on that land.”

Mkhize said DOCRRA were welcome to look into their legal process.

“We can accuse this of being political but the KDM legal department is there to make sure that none of the decisions taken by the council have any implications on the constitution or bill of rights.

Council cannot be vilified for this decision and if we have to re-look at the decision it must be because of factors in the process and not because of rumours.

“The petition that is being signed will not be tested in council but in court and they can decide who is wrong and who is right. If someone wants to build a mosque in Ballito and we have land, we cannot shut them down. If DOCRRA wishes to go to court, they are more than welcome. We believe we have done everything by the book and if anyone doubts that, it can be tested in the court of law.”

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