Neighbours object to family's plan for prayer

Ishwar Mungaroo and his family of five recently bought a double-storey home in a quiet cul-de-sac in Glenashley, Durban. With a large area at the back, Mungaroo decided to build a private prayer and meditation room for his family.

Having a family all of driving age also meant six cars lined up in the driveway, so when Mungaroo decided to build the prayer room, he designed a concrete-covered carport as part of the plan. His idea was to have the 17 sq m prayer room on top of the 120 sq m carport.

Mungaroo applied to Durban's Development and Planning department for permission to build.

The advertisement went into the daily newspapers on March 2 and Mungaroo's neighbours reacted in shock and disbelief. Instead of referring to the structure as a prayer room or shrine, it was called a temple and the residents say they had visions of carloads of worshippers invading their privacy.

The discontent in the road intensified when Mungaroo started building, and residents filed 27 objections with Development and Planning. They objected to, among other things, the large size of the structure, the "erosion" of their privacy, the "possibility" of increased traffic of property values decreasing.

"I don't know why my neighbours don't want to associate with me. I don't know if it has to do with my colour," said Mungaroo.

Development and Planning Executive Director Jacqueline Suban said that including the parking, the structure did take up 120 sq m but the prayer room was only 17 sq m.

"Originally there was no objection as it was for private and not public use. But then the issues of the neighbours were understandably raised," explained Suban. The residents now have 21 days to appeal and objections need to go to the city's Town Planning Appeal Board.

But while permission has been granted for the extensions to Mungaroo's home, the building plans have not yet been approved and Mungaroo should not have started building, Suban said.

Mungaroo has started building the concrete slab, a storeroom and laundry. Suban said when building was not halted, a "stop work" order was issued.

"If he insists on carrying on, we will have to get an interdict," said Suban.

She added that if the residents won their appeal, Mungaroo had a right to appeal against the judgment. "A temple for public access is viewed in a different light and goes through a different process, but this prayer room should be only about 17 sq m," said Suban.

The neighbour to the right of Mungaroo, Gavin Foxcroft, said it was an issue of privacy.

"The rest of us don't want a religious building of that size and magnitude in the road," he said.

On the opposite side, Ronnel Zabora Bird has also voiced her disapproval.

"It looks right into my mother's dressing room and my parents' room, totally taking away their privacy," she said.

"This is not a religious prejudice. The size is worrying and then there is the privacy point," she added.

"I just don't understand it. I have grown up believing your neighbours are your immediate family. This is my constitutional right yet my life has been made so miserable," said Mungaroo.