Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Tim Mpakathe and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Erica Moir.
The Democratic Alliance in Mantsopa Local Municipality has written to the treasury to investigate the unlawful lease and unfair sale of municipal assets to a few connected cadres.
The municipality continues to disregard section 217 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which clearly states that when an organ of State in the national, provincial, or local sphere of government, or any other institution identified in national legislation, contracts for goods or services, it must do so in accordance with a system which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective.
The municipality is allegedly giving out municipal land to selected traders and developers without following legal processes. Instead of advertising the land publicly as required by Section 217 of the Constitution and the MFMA, officials are reportedly allocating it directly to individuals who approach them. This bypasses supply chain and asset management policies, raising concerns of unfair advantage, lack of transparency, and possible abuse of municipal assets meant to benefit all residents.
On 17 April 2025, the municipal council, through its ANC majority, agreed to lease the land portion 688 Bergplass in Thaba Phatchoa to Frans Farming Pty (Ltd) without following the required Supply Chain Processes. However, the deal was subsequently terminated after the residents threatened to sue the municipality.
Despite the council’s existing 9-year, 11-month resolution with the local NGO on Sonop Farm in Excelsior, the municipality has entered into a new 24-year agreement with Frans Farming Pty (Ltd) for the same farm.
We condemn these perennial long-term land lease agreements. We believe that lease agreements must be commensurate with the council term and that the municipality must advertise all land-related matters and invite applications from local interested people.