Notwithstanding a court order secured by the Mangaung Metro in March against the people occupying municipal land near Lourierpark and the relevant statutory prohibitions, the municipality started installing infrastructure at the premises.
David Mc Kay, DA spokesperson for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in the Free State Legislature, said the order was deliberately undermined on Thursday, 22 August, by a senior official of Mangaung who, under the guise of humanitarian aid, procured the services of a verified Mangaung Metro subcontractor to install infrastructure there.
According to Mc Kay, this was done without authorisation from his department head, Itumeleng Masobeng, or the municipal manager, Sello More.
This instruction was allegedly encouraged by the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), which has historically promoted the illegal occupation of this parcel of land.
“Allegedly, the water tanker that has been supplying water needs to be repaired,” Mc Kay said.
“If this was, in effect, as catastrophic as proposed, a water tanker could have been rented in the interim. It should also be noted that any construction, whether temporary or permanent, on the site must be approved in accordance with the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1997, with specific reference to the definition of ‘building’ in said act. No person or official of the Mangaung Metro or any other person contracted by the metro has the right to subvert or disregard the court order or the applicable legislation.”
Mc Kay opened a case of contempt of court at the Parkweg Police Station on Saturday, on behalf of the DA and the community.
He said one of the holes that was dug in the area had been filled earlier this week, and the police were investigating the case.
“The DA remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens and the rule of law.”
