Local authorities face growing pressure to find lasting solutions to illegal land occupations and the rapid expansion of informal settlements.

Mayor Gregory Nthatisi said the metro is determined to lead from the front in dealing with land-related challenges. “The municipality has been working hard to ensure residents no longer dictate land occupation by seizing land first. Instead, the municipality must take the lead in acquiring and distributing land to those in need.”

Nthatisi stressed the importance of collaboration between government departments to unlock suitable land for housing. “To provide land, we need rural development to release land, public works to assist, and housing and finance departments to support the rollout.

“Otherwise, when it’s dry, people settle on empty plots, only to discover they’re waterlogged or unsuitable when the rains come,” he warned. The mayor said residents can expect progress in land allocation soon, but cautioned that dishonest requests often slow the process. 

“Sometimes people ask for land for children who live in Gauteng, while others desperately need a home here and now.” 

The issue of illegal land occupation drew national attention last year when a group of residents seized land in Lourierpark and named it Mountain View. The Red Ants and police were deployed to evict the occupiers.

Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa also expressed concern about the rise in informal settlements during a campaign stop in the Free State in April 2024. While travelling through Botshabelo and Bloemfontein, he observed hundreds of shacks near the N8 highway and stressed the urgent need for sustainable housing solutions.

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae recently condemned illegal land occupations, warning that such actions attract undocumented foreign nationals and worsen crime in already vulnerable communities.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi