Lourierpark clashes with land invaders

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Lourierpark clashes with land invaders
Captured here are the scenes at the site where the land invasion took place in Lourierpark since Saturday, 2 March. PHOTOS: Morgan Piek, Gypseenia Lion and Justine Fortuin

Tensions have reached boiling point as residents of Lourierpark and land invaders engage in an unresolved standoff. This week has seen a series of dramatic events unfold, including the use of stun grenades and passionate protests by residents of Lourierpark.

On one side, long-standing residents of Lourierpark have had to bear witness to growing unease as their once-quiet, peaceful neighbourhood had to accommodate thousands of people in an open area next to the neighbourhood. Meanwhile, the land invaders, driven by desperation and a sense of entitlement, refuse to back down.

Bloemfontein Courant spoke to a few people on the ground to find out where they stand in this situation. “I am here to stay because in the location we have a lot of problems as we are staying at the dumping site – there are pigs that stink. Our councillor told us to come here and I have been here since Saturday,” said Khethekile Solo, who was there to claim his part of the land. “If the municipality say we must move from here it will be a big problem for us because we don’t have a place to stay.”

According to a Lourierpark resident, Kamohelo Mamatu, they are protesting because of the people who are invading the land. “We are upset, parents are upset – they actually fear for their children’s safety. I understand the frustration of the people because Lourierpark used to be a peaceful place, but now we’re not so sure. That uncertainty gives birth to fear, so we have a huge problem on our hands, but hopefully, things will go well,” he said.

“People come here to get land for free and they won’t even pay rates and taxes, or rent, or water and electricity and we who stay here for so long, are taxed so high, even without service delivery here. Yet the municipality allows people to put up shacks here and take the land,” said another resident. “I’ve been in Lourierpark for 12 years and there have never been protests or fights here. It’s the people who are here now that cause trouble. We are a peaceful community and all we ask is for the municipality to carry out the court order, because why isn’t it done?” he added.

Ward 18 Councillor, David Mc Kay, stated that the DA will be proceeding with an application to the High Court as the Mangaung Metro has failed to carry out a court order to evict the land invaders since Saturday, 2 March 2024.

According to the City Manager, Sello More, as of today, Wednesday 6 March, the court order will come into effect for the second and third respondents, who came after the court order had been served. “We must remember that we are dealing with human beings with human needs [referring to the need for housing], and we have engaged the sheriff along with the police and they must humanely implement the court order,” said More.

City Manger Sello More and MMM spokesperson Qondile Khedama. PHOTO: JUSTINE FORTUIN

He added that Mangaung has plans in place to get the land ready for services such as water, sanitation and electricity once the new financial year starts. “People must remember that as the city, we have procedures that we need to follow and we will be vetting each person to ensure they are eligible for housing. We cannot simply allow everyone here to be housed as there is a long list of people who have been waiting and they will be serviced first. We can admit that as the city we have fallen behind on implementing housing and this has led to people grabbing land. We must, however, remember that there are processes that need to be followed.”

Justine Fortuin

justine@mahareng.co.za

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