The Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi on 3 April 2024 met with various stakeholders to discuss issues regarding the unoccupied factories and title deeds in Thaba Nchu.
“I deemed it important that we all come together and find solutions to some of the problems that were raised by residents with regards to title deeds and using the unoccupied factories to create employment opportunities for the people of Mangaung,” said Nthatisi.
He furthermore highlighted that 1600 people in Thaba Nchu are dealing with the issue of title deeds.
“They can’t renovate their houses because they don’t have the right documentation. This land is owned by Public Works and residents were given permission to occupy. There have been issues with transferring the land to the municipality,” he said.
Nthatisi is adamant to address these issues to give occupants of those sites peace of mind.
According to the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs’ (Destea) MEC, Thabo Meeko, Public Works’ Head of Department, Ernest Mohlahlo, and officials from the Free State Development? Corporation and the Department of Human Settlements were also present at the meeting.
Meeko said his “office formed part of this meeting because they believe there’s a direct link between unoccupied factories and economic development in the city.”
He added that although the Free State is known for agriculture and farming, there is an opportunity to strengthen other areas of economic development such as manufacturing.
Compiled by Gypseenia Lion
