Daily Sun (October 21 2014) - THE congregation was in the big tent, singing and praying to God to forgive their sins. But if they were hoping to be showered with God's blessings they were in for a rude surprise.
INSTEAD OF BLESSINGS THEY WERE SHOWERED WITH ROCKS AND STONES!
Chaos broke out when about 1 000 residents of Winnie Mandela section in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni stormed Charis Missionary Church, stoning and beating seated worshippers who were about to receive God's blessing on Sunday afternoon.
Cops and amabherethe rushed to the scene in police cars and nyalas, firing rubber bullets to disperse angry squatters.
About six church-goers were injured and rushed to hospital and three of them are allegedly in a serious condition. Four cop cars and about 15 congregants' vehicles were damaged.
Community members said the church pastor opened fire on three of the protesting residents.
Thirteen people were arrested and charged with public violence and unlawful gathering. The furious residents vowed that if the church was not moved, they would set it alight.
Residents told Daily Sun the church started as a small tent on a tiny plot of land, but as the church grew bigger they kept on expanding the tent without consulting the people. Charles Ramaila (36) said the church is built on land they are supposed to live on.
"We live in a small area. Our shacks are crowded together and our children have nowhere to play, but the church keeps getting bigger and bigger," he said.
"We are going nowhere until the church removes its tent."
Vicky Kgasago (38) said the pastor and his management keep on enriching themselves but are not involved in the community. "We don't need the church and we will make sure to remove it even if it is physically," she said.
The people slammed the cops for shooting at them.
"All we want is to have our place back. We are not here to fight with the cops," said Kagiso Mokoena (42).
The church's legal adviser, advocate Tshepo Nkuna, confirmed that at least six church members were injured and taken to hospital for treatment.
"We were shocked to see the people attacking us," he said.
Nkuna could not comment on the allegations that somebody had shot at residents with live ammunition.
"I do know the pastor wasn't at the service when the community attacked," he said.
He said the police should confirm the allegations. Police cluster commander, Major-General Vincent Lashebane, confirmed the damage to vehicles and said 13 people were arrested for public violence and unlawful gathering.
"One person was shot with a rubber bullet by a Metro cop after he tried to disarm and strangle the officer," said Lashebane.
He said the suspects will appear in the Tembisa Magistrates Court today.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesman Themba Gadebe said: "Ekurhuleni Municipality is the owner of the property under discussion. Neither the community nor Charis Missionary Church has any legal claim with regard to this property, for lease or future ownership. The zoning of the erf is ‘special', for various types of use."
He added that all religious groups will be allowed to register and take part in the land release programme.
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