UPDATE: Two mosques planned for Ballito?

In a surprise revelation, a local Muslim body says it already has advanced plans to build a mosque in Ballito.

The Zimbali and Ballito Muslim Association, which claims to be the most prominent Muslim organization on the Dolphin Coast, is already in the process of buying land for a mosque in the Ballito business park alongside the N2 highway.

This comes after the KwaDukuza council outraged Ballito residents by approving the sale of a third of Ballito’s ‘green lung’ Townsend Park to the Zululand Islamic Society for a mosque.

The chairperson of the Zimbali and Ballito Muslim Association, Musapha Haneef, told the Courier he was surprised by the Zululand Islamic Society’s application as most Muslim Ballito residents belonged to his organization.

“No approach has been made to the municipality from Muslims who live in Ballito and who belong to our association for a mosque.

“Currently, we do have a small space in Ballito where we meet to pray as there are only a few members. To my knowledge, there are not many Muslim residents in the Ballito area.”

Haneef said he was already in the process of securing 6000 sq metres of land in the vicinity of Nandi Mthembu in the Ballito business park.

“We have already raised money to buy privately owned land and we paid a non-refundable deposit last week. We will have the full purchase price in 30 days or so and we still need to approach KDM for rezoning.”

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

Haneef said his organization was established about a year ago and that a mosque had been on the cards for a while.

“We want to have a mosque in a place that is convenient for everyone and also one that is visible from the highway so that we can attract visitors.”

However, Zululand Islamic Society secretary Ntuthuko Isa Khowene denied knowledge of another Muslim organization in Ballito. He said the recent development would not affect their application.

“We applied for a mosque in Ballito five years ago and it was only approved recently. If another association has bought private land and wants to build a mosque then they can, but we will still go ahead. Durban and many other areas have more than one mosque and that is okay.”

WATCH: Petition launched for Ballito #SaveOurPark campaign

KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) spokesperson Sipho Mkhize said the council was not aware of another Muslim association or their plans for a mosque in Ballito.

“Council received an application from the Zululand Islamic Association, a legitimate and registered organisation.

“There are still a number of steps that need to be followed before the transfer of ownership and we were not aware of any other Muslim associations in the Dolphin Coast area or their plans.”

Dolphin Coast Ratepayers and Resident Association (DOCRRA) chairperson Ken Lever, has vowed to continue to fight against the sale of a portion of land in Townsend Park.

“Our lawyers are currently searching for a copy of the original title deeds dated 1958 when the Townsend family, who originally owned the land and natural forest, donated it to the residents of Ballito. We need to see if there were any conditions attached to that sale.”

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