24 Feb 2013

Churches in Francistown have continued to squat despite a recent meeting with the city council.

An investigation by BOPA has established that churches continued to operate on illegal land. Efforts to interview some of the defaulting churches did not bear fruit

One church in Monarch location, which has squatted next to the Phase 6 clinic, failed to show its certificates to prove ownership of the land, saying such documents were confidential and that nothing would stop it from worshiping God.

The pastor of the church refused to state his name and the names of his church, saying that the Francistown City Council (FCC) would find them worshipping in that area. A lady, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said many people residing in the area joined them for church services and no one had confronted them complaining about the noise.

When BOPA interviewed one of the residents in the area, Ms Thabano Maina, she denied the allegations that they attended the church services. “There is too much noise, on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I arrive home tired from work and I never rest because of the noise, even my standard three daughter cannot study because of the noise.”

The Monarch Court president, Mr Gunny Moses said even in front of the Monarch kgotla, there was a church and many people had approached him complaining about the noise it made.

He also complained that the bars around the area also made too much noise and did not close at the right  times. Kgosi Moses noted that the council was responsible for such matters, but was dragging its feet.

However, Francistown mayor, Councillor James Kgalajwe said he was going to address a meeting on the first week of March in regard to these churches that are scattered in Francistown. He said they were still consulting the Ministry of Lands and Housing to see what action they could take against those who ignored the law. ENDS