The land near Lourier Park, renamed “Mountain View” by occupiers, became a flashpoint in 2024 amid the Free State’s deepening housing crisis. Thousands of land-hungry residents moved onto the site, prompting legal action and a court-ordered eviction.

On Monday (9/2), the High Court in Bloemfontein ordered the metro to stop land preparations and moving more people into the area. The DA had brought an urgent application as it argued the metro acted unlawfully.

The development has caused anxiety in the community, and many fear property values will plummet. “I’m not happy with this situation, it’s going to take the value of our houses to rock bottom,” said Pellissier resident Barney Fourie, 71. He called on the municipality to find alternative land for those occupying Mountain View.

“Get some land and build them houses, but not here. Shacks, I was there the other day. One of my people stays there. I can’t believe what I see, there is nothing its only shacks, no toilets, no nothing, no it’s not right.”

Marius Bezuidenhout, another resident, echoed these concerns, warning the proliferation of informal settlements is already placing pressure on surrounding suburbs.

 Bloemfontein resident, Marius Bezuidenhout, speaking on Lourierpark’s new settlement known as Mountain View. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi 

“There are so many informal settlements around Bloemfontein, why do they want to start another one. I’ve driven past there several times, and you see the cars parked there – it’s brand-new Mercedeses, BMWs parked there, so you ask yourself what is going on there.”

“They are trying to gain something. There was a court order, and Mangaung mayor ignored it. If the first court order was ignored, the mayor should have been in trouble.”

Residents argued allowing further development without proper planning would degrade property values and strain local services. Business owner and resident Andrew Tutor also raised concerns about the potential rise in crime and the lack of infrastructure at the site.

“Surely if you move into another suburb, there should be infrastructure, sewage, electricity, water, basic needs; there is nothing. So, for what reason would they want to move the people there or allow them to go there without infrastructure, without sanitation.”

Residents question why the municipality did not first develop the land with proper services before permitting occupation.

According to the metro, the housing crisis remains dire. 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 metro has a responsibility to avert loss of life by initiating habitable living conditions and relocating residents from unsafe areas, said Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthatisi.

He criticised the DA’s court action, saying it undermines the municipality’s constitutional mandate, and vowed to defend their position in court. Mangaung’s actions are aimed at addressing the urgent needs of residents requiring land and housing.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg