Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Paul Kotzé, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Greg van Noord and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance will continue firm legal and oversight action to ensure Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality complies with court orders relating to Mountain View and upholds lawful planning, reliable service delivery, and community dignity.
We have once again found the ANC-led municipality in violation of a March 2024 court order, following the appointment of a contractor to construct basic water infrastructure in Mountain View. Following the DA intervention, the illegal construction was halted.
This follows a pattern where similar unlawful projects have repeatedly been stopped, highlighting a disregard for the rule of law, planning processes, and accountable governance.
This behaviour directly harms residents. Illegal infrastructure is often poorly planned and unsustainable, resulting in unreliable services, wasted public funds, and safety risks. Most concerning is that vulnerable residents lose their dignity when they are exploited for short-term political gain rather than receiving lawful, permanent solutions.
Instead of using available land, infrastructure, and grants to develop well-planned housing and economic zones that support job creation, the municipality has opted for political posturing that entrenches unsafe informal settlements, undermines investor confidence, threatens agriculture, and blocks inclusive growth.
The DA upholds housing dignity under Spatial Planning and Land-Use Management (SPLUMA) and the constitutional right to a healthy environment. Mangaung Metro has instead attempted to bypass these laws, including proposing an unlawful by-law that contradicts SPLUMA and seeks to legitimise maladministration.
Information to the Provincial Legislature confirms that lawful alternatives exist. Farm Extension X2727 is being finalised to relocate households from undeveloped land near Lourier Park. Earlier environmental and biosecurity objections linked to nearby poultry operations have been resolved, allowing township establishment to proceed.
This will enable the relocation of over 3,500 households, with potential for a further 7,000 serviced sites.
Despite this, the municipality continues to act inconsistently. The DA has formally engaged the MMC for Human Settlements and demanded that all unlawful construction remain halted. Should illegal work resume, we will pursue criminal charges against officials who act in contempt of the 2024 court order.
Through sustained oversight and legal action, the DA will continue fighting for lawful development, reliable services, safer communities, and real economic opportunities for the people of Mangaung.