This comes after the DA lodged an urgent application to stop land preparations undertaken by the metro on municipal land in the area. The city had announced its intention to relocate residents to Lourierpark as part of efforts to address mounting housing backlogs.

However, 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 municipal services and the settlement of any persons pending the outcome of the application, which has been postponed to 5 March.

Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthatisi criticised the DA’s court action, saying it undermines the municipality’s constitutional mandate.

“This is a deeply regrettable moment in our democratic dispensation. It is profoundly concerning that, in a constitutional democracy founded on the principles of dignity, equality and redress, a political party has chosen to obstruct a municipality from developing its own land for the benefit of the people of Mangaung,” said Nthatisi.

The city is currently sitting with more than 77,000 people registered on the National Housing Needs Register (NHNR) with reference numbers, all waiting for placement opportunities.

The legal battle pursued by the DA has now escalated beyond politics. 

Human rights issue

“The legal battle as pursued by the DA has now become a human rights issue, and the council cannot defer it further.” 

While the metro will comply with the interim court order, it believes the application is politically motivated. 

“The latest court application by the DA is not about governance, but desperation for political control. Now that the matter has been postponed to 5 March, the metro has no choice but to comply with the interim court order.”

“How long shall we keep our people waiting? It has been more than a year of waiting for land allocation and proper service delivery. Further delays raise more human rights challenges. The city had to respond to tough questions posed by the Human Rights Commission on its intention to deliver basic services to the affected people,“ he said.

Pieces of land  

The municipal council has resolved that where pieces of land have completed planning processes, the city should move ahead with providing preliminary basic services.

Nthatisi also disputed the DA’s figures on informal settlements.

“DA ignores the fact that there are 72 informal settlements in Mangaung and not 52 as they claim. DA only seems to, or claims to know, 52 informal settlements. Why are they not concerned about their living conditions? These are the residents who are living on wetlands, on flood lines and where the government is supposed to develop schools and clinics.”

The metro has a responsibility to avert loss of life by initiating habitable living conditions and relocating residents from unsafe areas, he said.

“DA is misleading the nation to say the city is creating an informal settlement in Louriepark. This area has been surveyed, and sites demarcated for relocation and allocation to benefit the people of Mangaung in an orderly and legal manner. However, the land is subject to further development. The roads are being scrapped for access, and preliminary basic services that address human rights concerns are attended to.”

Housing

According to the municipality, at least 77,000 people across Mangaung require proper housing. This includes 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.

The matter is expected to return to court in March, as the standoff between the metro and the DA continues over the future of the Lourierpark land development project.

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg