Central SA
Eviction of illegal Brandwag flats tenants still on the cards─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:23 Wed, 15 Oct 2025

The long-standing housing dispute at Brandwag flats in Bloemfontein continues to linger, as authorities grapple with how to reclaim control of the property from illegal occupants.
Mangaung Metro has reaffirmed the eviction process remains on the table, pending legal action initiated by the social housing regulatory authority (SHRA). Originally launched as a project to provide affordable and secure housing, the Brandwag flats development has been marred by years of mismanagement and administrative failure.
The Free State Social Housing Company (Freshco), which was responsible for implementing the project, was placed under administration by SHRA in 2019 following multiple irregularities.
Appearing before members of the Free State legislature in Bloemfontein, Mangaung Mayor Gregory Nthatisi confirmed the SHRA is engaged in court proceedings to obtain orders allowing the eviction of illegal tenants from the Brandwag flats.
“The SHRA is with them in court, enforcing that they must evict them,” said Nthatisi. While the municipality is responsible for arranging alternative accommodation for evicted residents, its ability to intervene directly at the Brandwag flats remains limited until SHRA has regained control of the property.
“People (who) entered into agreement with Freshco left the place. We call them ‘bogus landlords’, who came in, took over, rented those units to people (who) are living there, not paying where they are supposed to pay to (the) municipality or … through SHRA.”
The municipality had attempted to step in and encourage residents to pay the correct authorities in order to help service the development’s outstanding loans.
“At that point, it was 0.2% pay. I think we are at 0.4%, just not much. We need that money,” he said.
Mangangaung mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, alongside other metro officials, appeared before members of Free State legislature. Photo: Facebook
SHRA has now taken a firm stance against negotiating with illegal occupants, opting instead to pursue evictions through the courts, Nthatisi added. But he acknowledged the municipality’s dual responsibility, upholding the SHRA mandate while considering the needs of the residents, even those unlawfully occupying the flats.
“We need to apply three methods. The first one is persuasion, the second is example, and the third is to enforce.
“We don’t have the capacity to enforce them, SHRA does,” Nthatisi stated.
The municipality has not abandoned the Brandwag flats project, he reiterated. Once SHRA succeeds in removing the unlawful occupants, the city will implement systems to regulate and recover service payments, including installing water and utility meters.
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