Despite surviving evictions a week ago, remaining residents in the so-called Mountain View area next to Lourierpark do not know what the future holds for them as they await a court decision only taking place next month.

A place that was invaded by thousands in need of land a few weeks ago is now left with only a few fully erected structures. The remaining families claimed that they do not know if they will be removed in the coming weeks as officials from the municipality have not visited the area since the incomplete and unoccupied structures were demolished by the Red Ants on Friday (8/3).

They, however, have been trying to survive in hopes of being permanently given land in the area despite their struggle with water supply as the municipality has not dispatched water tankers in the area. Residents of Mountain View claim that they have to beg Lourierpark residents for water daily just to survive.

Security remains on high alert in the area with police continuously patrolling to avoid further invasions. The Mangaung Metro Municipality’s (MMM) spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, said the Metro is awaiting the court’s decision regarding the third group of respondents in April. He said the city is also aware of other cases of land invasion and has it under control.

The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Mangaung expressed its dissatisfaction with the outcomes and last week applied for a court order to prevent the continuous demolishing of shacks, and further alleged inhumane harassment of the community, which was denied.

The Free State High Court’s Judge Johann Dafue, however, dismissed Sanco’s application to challenge the court order, forcing the Mangaung Metro Municipality to remove illegal land grabbers.

Land grabbers who lost their belongings during the eviction have been left stranded and called for the metro to repay or replace their belongings. Ward 18’s DA Councillor, Dave Mc Kay, said the party will use the court-ordered oversight of the process to ensure their rights and the law are upheld. The FF Plus said it would closely monitor the process to ensure the crisis is resolved.

Meanwhile, the Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Ketso Makume, slammed opposition parties during the debate on its budget in the Free State Provincial Legislature, for quickly acting to ensure the MMM acts on the court interdict to remove invaders in Mountain View. He said the DA quickly reacted to ensure people were removed because they were close to the white community, but little attention was given to land invaders in Botshabelo near N8 and Thaba Nchu.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg