Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Tjaart van der Walt and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng.
The DA commends the progress Mangaung has made in modernising aspects of its planning system, including the introduction of a digital building plan submission system and the increasing recognition of the role councillors can play in representing community interests in land use applications.
I have also noted several responsible decisions in recent months where the Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) balanced community interests with economic development and infrastructure availability.
These improvements are important and should continue. But further challenges remain, such as access to administrative justice.
The Municipality’s approved tariffs now require anyone wishing to appeal an MPT decision to pay an appeal fee equal to the fee paid for the original planning application. In many cases this amounts to several thousand rand.
For many residents, community organisations and even small property owners, such costs place the statutory right of appeal beyond their financial reach.
Planning decisions often have long-term consequences for neighbourhoods, infrastructure, property values and future development. The appeal process provides an important safeguard against administrative errors and promotes confidence in planning decisions. That safeguard should be meaningful and reasonably accessible.
The DA believes that while municipalities are entitled to recover reasonable administrative costs, appeal fees should not become a barrier that effectively excludes ordinary residents from exercising their legal rights.
This raises broader questions about meaningful access to justice and the constitutional right in section 34 of the Constitution to access courts and, where appropriate, independent and impartial tribunals or forums.
Planning reform should not only benefit objectors. It should also benefit responsible applicants.
Developers and property owners deserve certainty, consistent decision-making and an efficient planning system. Residents deserve transparent processes, meaningful participation and a fair opportunity to challenge decisions where legitimate concerns exist.
These objectives are not mutually exclusive.
The DA will therefore engage the Municipality to review the current appeal tariff structure and broader planning procedures, including:
- Reviewing whether appeal fees remain fair and proportionate.
- Considering reduced or differentiated appeal fees for recognised community organisations and public-interest matters.
- Improving public access to planning records and decisions.
- Continuing the digital transformation of planning applications.
- Strengthening procedural compliance and application quality.
- Requiring up-to-date infrastructure assessments before major developments are approved.
- Continuing to reduce unnecessary red tape for lawful development while strengthening enforcement against unlawful development.
Mangaung needs more investment, more housing and more economic activity.
But it also needs a planning system that is transparent, predictable, affordable and trusted by residents, developers and investors alike.
Planning reform should not be about choosing between development and communities.
It should ensure that both can succeed.