‘Church tent brings no rest’ – neighbour
Residents claim students cannot even study because of the church tent; they believe the noise is louder than that of taverns.
GERMISTON – Noise from a church tent is dividingand upsetting the community in Mhlangeni Pase Two in Hattingh Street.
The community is reaching a state of no consensus as some members believe it is better to just stop complaining, because there is nothing they could do, while those who live nearest to the tent refuse to accept the situation.
The church is said to be new to the community and came from somewhere else to put up a tent on a property recently purchased by a church member. What bothers a nearby neighbour is that the church only has a small congregation, and using microphones and speakers is unnecessary.
“On weekends you cannot watch television or listen to radio or read a newspaper. The whole situation is breaking the community now. My residence is in front opposite the church and I go through all that torture every weekend.
“They start at 09:00 and the services go on until 21:00 every Sunday. Now imagine loud drums and speakers from the moment you wake up till the moment you go to sleep. I confronted them about the noise, but they asked me what about the taverns and sangomas? And to be honest, the taverns and sangomas do not make that kind of noise.
“On weekends the church members arrive in taxis, and then you will see them urinating on the walls in the street; it would be better if they hired mobile toilets. University students can’t even study,” said Tom Gwebu, a neighbour opposite the church.
The matter was reported to the EMPD on November 14 last year. The responce was that it would be investigated and Gwebu has been waiting to see the investigation start.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Kgasago, spokesperson of the EMPD, said he sent a query to directors in the southern region with regarding the issue. A letter was also delivered to one of the church’s congregants, but the content is still unknown.
