Mangaung Metro is deeply concerned about Bloemfontein’s Brandwag Flats, describing the social housing complex as a hub for criminal activities and illegal immigrants.

Tensions escalated on Monday (9/9) when metro officials, accompanied by law enforcement agencies, raided flats to verify residents.

‘Unauthorised car wash uses unlimited water for free’

Last week, the municipality warned of its intention to begin verifying whether all residents are registered on its database. The raid uncovered several illegal activities and unauthorised businesses, including a shebeen where alcohol was confiscated.

“This is a ‘crime dam’,” said City Manager Sello More. “Some are running taverns, shebeens, so those are illegal activities.”

An unauthorised car wash has been set up on the premises that uses unlimited water for free, despite Mangaung having one of the highest rates of water losses in the country.

It’s supposed to be a social housing area – catering for a particular market earning between R1,850 to R22,000, said More, “but people earning more than that stay here, running their businesses, including foreigners. There are even landlords here.”

Referring to the 2008 crime movie Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema, More said: “It’s a ‘Jerusalem’ situation in these flats where people, some of them have left this area many years ago, but they are still drawing rentals from gullible citizens here.”

He acknowledged while the process may be painful for the occupants, the municipality must regain control to maintain the intended purpose of the social housing.

Mangaung Metro City Manager, Sello More, during the verification process of tenants at the Brandwag flats. Picture: Screenshot

Meanwhile, residents of the flats have expressed frustration over how the municipality has managed the situation. One complained about being treated like a criminal and alleged they’d previously sought assistance from the municipality without receiving any support. “Now, the municipality shows up with police officers.”

Residents also questioned who they should’ve been paying rent to, citing historical mismanagement dating back to when Free State Social Housing Company was responsible for the housing. They claim they were waiting for the municipality to come forward and clarify the rent payment process.

During the first leg of the operation, five blocks of flats were visited and 200 people verified. Illegal electricity supply and illegal water supply were disconnected.

SAPS members confiscated liquor at the Brandwag flats. Photo supplied

One of the occupants Teboho David Tlhabang was issued with a written notice to appear before court with an option to pay a fine for contravention of the Free State Gambling and Liquor Act by selling liquor without being duly registered to do so, said police spokesperson Thabo Covane.

Officers confiscated liquor and a refrigerator allegedly used in the commission of the offence.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg