Pretoria - Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa has reiterated the city council’s unwavering support for the donation of a vacant piece of land in Valhalla for the erection of a mosque despite an outcry about foul play from some residents.
Days after the signing over ceremony of the land to the Thaba Tshwane Islamic Centre Trust on April 12, social media went abuzz, with many decrying the planned erection of a mosque in the community.
Despite the growing tensions, Ramokgopa announced at his State of the Capital address on Thursday that the council was in full support of the donation of the 10 000m² piece of land valued at R2.9 million.
To foster social cohesion and undermine the effects of the Natives’ Land Act and the Group Areas Act, the city had continued to donate land to faith-based organisations, he said.
“We have thus far donated over 170 parcels of land measuring in excess of 861 000m² to religious communities, as an important stakeholder in the fight against moral degeneration, drug and substance abuse, crime and corruption.”
Even at the signing of the Deed of Donation to the beneficiaries, a handful of racially motivated individuals sought to disrupt the event by demonstrating outside the venue and interrupting proceedings with the intent of keeping Valhalla free of Indian people and Muslims in particular, he said.
“The democratic project encourages us to ensure no space within the city’s boundaries is designated a racially exclusive enclave.”
The title deeds to the land will be delivered to members of the International Islamic Mission in May.
Ramokgopa said the city had previously also donated land to the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) and International Assemblies of God in Mamelodi. The city was said to be finalising donations to the St Engenas Zion Christian Church, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and St Johns’ Apostolic Church.
Activist Yusuf Abramjee has called on the SA Human Rights Commission to investigate and act against those threatening and insulting the Muslim community.
Pretoria News