Pictures taken at the site show work is already underway, with toilet structures erected and gravel roads being created. More informal structures have also been built in the area, indicating continued occupation. 

In 2024, land near Lourier Park, renamed Mountain View by land occupiers, became a flashpoint in the Free State’s ongoing housing crisis. Thousands of people in desperate need of land moved in, prompting legal action and a court-ordered eviction.

Gravel roads created and toilets erected at Lourierpark settlements. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi.

The DA in Mangaung, through a successful urgent application in the Bloemfontein High Court, compelled the metro to remove what it described as illegal land invaders.

In its latest statement, the party said it formally demanded urgent clarity from the metro regarding recent activities observed at Lourier Park Extensions 269, 148, and 288, where land appears to be prepared for human settlement.

DA raised concern stating that the land is not serviced and currently has no bulk water supply, electricity, or waterborne sewerage infrastructure.

“In terms of municipal by-laws and planning legislation, land may not be allocated or occupied unless township establishment conditions are met, services are installed, and the required engineering certificates are issued. Any occupation without these processes would be unlawful and place both residents and surrounding communities at risk.”

The party has since demanded written confirmation from the municipality on its intentions, funding sources, service timelines, and assurances that no land occupation will be permitted until all legal and planning requirements are met.

Mangaung mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, had defended the city’s approach, outlining the municipality’s response to the growing housing crisis and its decision to expand legal land occupation in Lourier Park. While appearing before members of the Free State Legislature late last year, Nthatisi was unapologetic about the city’s new direction.

“The business of Lourier Park, where white folks stood in front of us, chased people away and made it difficult. 

“Interestingly, some of the members present here today were councillors at the time and played a leading role in turning communities against one another. We are not going to allow that.”

“I want to tell this committee that I’m not going to remove those people who stay in Lourier Park because the law says when you remove them, you must take them somewhere, and I don’t have somewhere.

“Instead of taking those people away from there, I literally am taking more people there. We can’t allow a situation where our people are not allowed to come closer to localities where they are closer to work.”

Work commences at Lourierpark. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi.

Nthatisi had also said the municipality does not intend to only address the 2,500 units currently in Lourier Park, but aims to accommodate a substantial number of people who have proof of township occupation, providing them with a place where they can begin building permanent homes without being forced to relocate repeatedly.

OFM News has sent questions to the Mangaung metro.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh