Spokesperson Dika Kheswa says the municipality distances itself from such commitments and promises. "The municipality will officially pronounce itself through its ward councillors, local and mainstream media, and its social media platforms should the municipality be in a process of registering or allocating residential sites to the residents". 

He adds that the message that the people should take and occupy the land is an act of people trying to gain popularity amongst residents and to score political gains before the general elections on 8 May 2019. 

Kheswa says this false information has since led to the confusion amongst residents in that area and they want to move away from the informal settlement programme to avoid backlogs in service delivery, amongst others.

Kheswa says political parties can only be ones to make such proclamations but they as the municipality and government would not want to venture much on the issue.

He added, however, that the municipality is aware of the residential sites backlog especially in Maokeng and Kroonstad and plans are at a very advanced stage to deal with this problem. 

"The municipality is therefore urging members of the community to always be wary of people trying to mislead them." 

Members of the community with any enquiries should feel free to call or contact the municipality on 056 216 9119.

Jabulani Radebe contributed to this report.

OFM News