The DA approached the court seeking to halt what it described as unlawful land preparation and the facilitation of an illegal land occupation. The municipality failed to provide assurances it would stop activities enabling the occupation of land that remained unserviced and is already subject to an existing court order declaring it unsuitable for human settlement, it argued.

On Monday (9/2), the court ordered the metro to file its answering affidavit on or before 15:00 on Tuesday. The DA, as the applicant, was ordered to file its replying affidavit by 20 February at 15:00. The matter was postponed to 5 March.

The High Court directed the metro to refrain from continuing with or commencing any land preparation activities, including scraping, grading, levelling of land, and the demarcation of sites. The municipality was further ordered to halt the installation of any municipal services and the settlement of any persons pending the outcome of the application.

The interdict applies to Bloemfontein Extension 288, situated on Portion 9 of the farm Brandkop 702, Bloemfontein Extension 148, as well as any other metro-owned property in the vicinity of Lourier Park.

The DA and the metro have been locked in a dispute since thousands of people in desperate need of land occupied areas near Lourier Park in 2024. Some occupants were removed by the Red Ants following a court-ordered eviction.

However, pictures taken at the site last week indicate that work had already begun, with toilet structures erected and gravel roads being created. Additional informal structures have also been built, suggesting continued occupation.

Earlier on Monday, Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthatisi announced that the metro would relocate some residents to Lourier Park as part of its efforts to address the growing demand for land. The municipality stated at least 79,000 people need proper housing, including about 5,000 in Bloemfontein, 13,000 in Botshabelo, and 12,000 in Thaba Nchu, with the remainder spread across outlying areas such as Dewetsdorp.

Nthatisi has vowed the metro will defend its position in court, maintaining that the municipality’s actions are aimed at addressing the urgent needs of residents requiring land and housing.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh