Note to editors: Please find attached the English soundbite by Cllr Ian Riddle and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
A vacant site in the town of Rouxville, within Mohokare Local Municipality, is currently being illegally occupied by approximately 60 residents who have been “permitted” by an ANC ward councillor to occupy the property. The site, which has not been surveyed and lacks essential services, is being marked out with rocks and distributed to locals.
This illegal practice is not unprecedented in Mohokare. Around eight years ago, a large tract of un-surveyed, un-serviced land was similarly given away in, Ext 5, and another about five years ago in Smithfield, also an Ext 5. Residents were misled into believing that by erecting informal housing, electricity would be provided to the site without any connection fee. In Smithfield, the locals alleged that the Unit Manager and the then ANC Councillor profited significantly by selling land, with few locals benefitting.
Although the sites were quickly occupied, basic services such as running water were absent. For approximately two years, water tanks were placed at strategic points where residents had to collect water. While the water situation has since been partially addressed, with most sites now having a single garden tap, there remain no sewage connections—not even bucket toilets—and residents are forced to use the veld for ablutions. This is an unhealthy and unacceptable situation. Furthermore, the roads in these Extensions are in an un-drivable state.
The pressing question with the new land distribution is how long it will take for these residents to receive water, electricity, and, most importantly, sewage services—if they receive them at all. The municipality is in no financial position to provide these essential services, as it struggles to maintain existing service delivery or complete ongoing projects.
While there is widespread acknowledgement of the severe housing backlog, which is a direct result of mismanagement by the ANC-led municipality, un-serviced or un-surveyed land should never be given away. Basic services are a fundamental right and must be provided before any occupation occurs.
The ANC’s illegal land distribution is a clear tactic to secure votes. Once the land is distributed, councillors gain leverage over the occupants, disregarding the lack of essential services.
The DA is resolute that this and similar future projects must be halted immediately, and any Councillor engaging in such practices must be held accountable. We will escalate this crisis within the council and report it to the Provincial Legislature to ensure the issue is thoroughly investigated and addressed.