Red ants sprayed 'smelly water'

2009-06-06 20:05

Johannesburg - It was the red ants who sprayed "smelly water" at the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, said Bishop Paul Verryn.

"They [the men] were red ants, driving in what looked like a water truck. They sprayed smelly water at the people outside the church and wet the food and the pavements where some of the people sleep," said Verryn.

On Friday evening at around 20:30, it was alleged that a truck stopped in front of the Methodist church and started spraying what was thought to be sewerage water.

An eye witness who identified himself as the "bishop's aid" earlier said: "There were about five men in a truck and they sprayed smelly water, I won't say it's sewerage water."

At the site on Saturday, a health inspector, dressed in a City of Johannesburg shirt, escorted by a church worker, surveyed the area where the water was sprayed. He refused to speak to Sapa when approached for comment.

He also walked around the area interviewing people who were present during the incident.

"I just think it's [the incident] a deliberate intimidation attempt. They [the men who sprayed the water] see foreign people as absolute rubbish and worthless," said Verryn.

He has since reported the matter to the city manager who advised him to open a criminal case.

"I will go to the police as soon as I am back in Johannesburg," he said in a telephonic interview.

An estimated 2 563 refugees live in the church.

Verryn has been both praised and criticised for harbouring the refugees at the church, at one stage even facing death threats - apparently from businesses in the area.

Earlier this year, however, the Gauteng government and the City of Johannesburg were forced to act after a law firm in the area took them to court for failing to enforce municipal bylaws.

The High Court, which is next to the church, ordered the removal of the refugees from the CBD - and the removal of toilets set up for them in the street outside the church.

In March, the provincial government said it had identified six buildings in and around the city for the refugees' relocation.

A group of refugees were expected to be moved in the middle of June.

- SAPA