IT'S often said that cleanliness is next to godliness.
However, it's surprising to see that in Soshanguve, along the Soutpan road, certain churches hold their worship services near massive dumping sites infested with flies.
These worshippers said they don't have a problem because one can pray to God anywhere.
"We don't have a problem with that, we are used to it," said a woman.
When asked if the stench does not affect their children's health, the woman said no one has been reported sick so far.
The worshippers admitted that the strike by the City of Tshwane municipal workers has worsened the flies.
They said the dumping site had been their place of worship for months, even before the municipality workers went on strike.
They said they were there to stay as they didn't have an alternative place to go.
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Inside the dumping site yard, there were trucks busy with the rubbish which resulted in more flies and air pollution that peddled the worshippers' way.
Daily Sun saw two groups holding their services, with other members of the congregation flicking off flies off their faces.
"We don't have a problem worshiping here and our wish is to see the rubbish removed because it has piled up," a worshipper said.
Residents from the nearby houses said as it gets hotter, flies are making their way into their homes.
"We cannot open the windows because the flies are too much," said resident Daphney Mkoki.
Municipal workers affiliated with the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) downed tools to demand a pay increase several weeks ago.
When Daily Sun contacted the municipality about the situation, City of Tshwane spokesman Lindelani Mashego referred Daily Sun to Samwu for comment.
Samwu's Provincial Secretary, Mpho Tladinyane, said: “The strike will intensify if the municipality doesn't pay workers' salaries.”
Meanwhile the frustrated residents of Tshwane continue to dump their rubbish everywhere due to frustration of the strike which has been dragging for more than three weeks.
