The newly-elected Mangaung Mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, has sent a stern warning to illegal land occupants in the metro.

Earlier this year, hundreds of residents invaded the land and erected shacks in areas such as Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. Residents claimed that the Bloemfontein-based metro had approved their newly established settlements. During the announcement of the Mayoral Committee held in the headquarters of the metro, Nthatisi vowed to remove illegal land occupants.

He said the municipality will find alternative land for residents before removing them.

“We feel for the people but we are going to remove them. Certainly, we are ensuring that before we can remove them, we must get them in proper places. When our people take land by force, that’s when foreign elements take expression, then they also come in and erect their shacks alongside our people.”

Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, had previously said the government would assess the safety of land occupied illegally in Botshabelo West so that alternative land could be provided if it was found that it’s not safe. During her recent visit, Kubayi disclosed that over R50 million had been allocated under an urban development grant for residents of Botshabelo and around R60 million for the upgrading of informal settlements.

Nthatisi said people found to have other houses will not be accommodated when residents are moved to alternative land as the municipality wants to accommodate those who are really in need of land. Foreigners who also invade land will also be removed.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi