The development has been plagued by repeated delays and setbacks over the years. Earlier reports indicated only ten of the 130 completed units were ready for occupation despite previous rollout targets. Concerns intensified on social media after residents reported seeing people moving furniture into the flats before any official public announcement had been made.

Social media user Mxolisi Qakoshe said if the reports were true, the public deserved transparency regarding the allocation process. Free State cooperative governance and traditional affairs spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu confirmed to OFM News occupation had already begun.

She clarified the flats are not being allocated to beneficiaries under a housing subsidy programme, but are intended for qualifying tenants. A facility management company is responsible for administering the rental units, and individuals wishing to occupy the flats must apply through that process.

The move-in process follows the issuing of an occupation certificate on 20 May, a statutory requirement before residential units can legally be occupied. In June, Bloemfontein Courant reported the absence of this certificate had delayed the planned April 2026 occupation date.

Mbewu said with the certificate now secured, the department is completing the remaining administrative and operational processes required for occupation. The project still faces significant outstanding work. 

The construction contract expired on 31 March before all defects and snag items could be addressed.

“As a result, the outstanding work remains unresolved pending the appointment of a replacement contractor to complete the necessary rectification measures.”  

Timeline

Despite these challenges, the allocation process has continued, with 60 applicants already approved for allocation. No timeline has yet been provided for the occupation of the remaining units, but Mbewu said formal communication would be issued once the units are ready.

The Dark and Silver City project came under intense scrutiny during president Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Bloemfontein in March. Outside the development, residents staged a protest over the prolonged delays in housing delivery.

Placards reading “no flat, no vote” reflected growing frustration among community members who said they had waited far too long for dignified living conditions.

White elephant

Originally launched more than a decade ago, the project was intended to replace ageing hostel structures with modern and sustainable housing units. Instead, it became widely described as a white elephant, with large sections remaining unfinished for years.

Residents living near the development have repeatedly demanded assurances that local people will be prioritised once construction is fully completed, amid fears outsiders could benefit from the long-delayed project.

The development is divided into two sections, the top site and the bottom site, with a combined total of more than 800 units. Officials have reported some progress, including a target of 230 units, but funding shortages continue to hamper completion.

Free State human settlements MEC Saki Mokoena has acknowledged additional funding is required to finish the remaining units. The project was initiated during the tenure of former Free State premier Ace Magashule and was originally budgeted at R110 million. By 2018, however, costs had escalated to at least R260 million.

Nearly a decade later, the development remains unfinished. The housing scheme was intended for low-income earners earning between R1,622 and R7,500 per month and was designed to provide affordable rental accommodation. 

Instead, the project has become a symbol of stalled service delivery, overshadowed by allegations of corruption, vandalism, contractual disputes and years of administrative delays.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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