THE Uniting Reformed Church is demanding R19,5million from Kaizer Chiefs boss Kaizer Motaung for a piece of ground opposite his mother's house in Phefeni, Soweto.

The church has decided to put up the disputed land it owns for sale. The church had secured developers to build 43 bonded houses, renovate the church and build the priest's quarters on the land.

Motaung used the pitch after forming the team in 1971. His parental home is opposite the pitch.

Efforts to get hold of Motaung for the past two weeks drew a blank.

Priest Zacharia Mokgoebo said yesterday the dispute has caused a serious delay for developers and investors. "I am giving interested parties 30 days to purchase the land which is up for sale for R19,5 million plus VAT ... because the community is against development, anyone, whether it is Kaizer Motaung or someone else, is welcomed to talk business with us so that this can come to an end," Mokgoebo said.

Previously, Motaung had said he was against the building of the houses. "My wish is to see the place developed into a sportiBecause we knew his mother and that he grew up here, we gave him the go-ahead to use the land. The church council never charged him a cent for the use of the pitchng venue, and I am prepared to contribute to that."

Mokgoebo said city officials called him to a meeting with the community two days ago and said they were going to investigate the validity of the title deed. The title deed indicates that the church bought the land in 1900. "The council has given developers the go-ahead because they know that we own the land."

The community said they will not allow housing development on the Phefeni soccer pitch despite developers getting the go-ahead to do so.

They threatened to boycott the upcoming local government elections.

Council speaker Nkele Ntingoane said the city found out that the land was owned by the church, which is also opposite the pitch.

"The church has now asked the developers to develop the land on their behalf. Council has no jurisdiction over private property."

Yesterday, a group of women gathered at the church for the usual weekly service.

Nancy Malatjie, who has been a member of the church for many years, said Motaung must come clean. "He came here back in the 1970s with the late Eliakim Khumalo and asked for permission to use the adjacent piece of land because no one was utilising it.

"Because we knew his mother and that he grew up here, we gave him the go-ahead to use the land. The church council never charged him a cent for the use of the pitch," Malatjie said.

Motaung's sister, Virginia, who still lives at their parental home, said she was against the development of the land. "Look at these children playing soccer in peace. Where will they go? Do they want them to roam the streets and become criminals?"