Lentswe, Alabama - The community made an urgent call for action on unused land amid a housing crisis and decided to take over so-called unused land (Ext 13) two weeks ago. “The police came and threatened us with violence if we don’t get off the land,” said Gail R Mkoempe, a community representative. The group left and is at present occupying a piece of land opposite Manzilpark. According to her, they completed forms in 2023 after the local elections and then were promised houses. They were later told they were not promised houses and were only added to the database.
She said they planned to occupy Ext 13 as it was supposed to be empty council land. “It was, in fact, sold to a private investor,” she said.
They engaged the MEC for Housing, various councillors and the mayor in their plight to get houses, but at the time of going to print they are still waiting - without answers.
“The mayor addressed us, but nothing came of the meeting. We tried to set up another meeting, but there is no response from the mayor.”
According to her, the municipality carries the responsibility to intervene as they must engage the landowners with the aim of purchasing the land for development that benefits the broader community.
“This approach has proven successful in the past - such as in the case of Alabama Skierlik, which began as an informal settlement in 2012 and is now formally recognized as Extension 5C, established even though it is was established before Extension 4, it is now developed.”
She calls upon local leaders to urgently lobby the municipal council to prioritize this matter. Should negotiations fail, they urge consideration of the constitutional provisions under Section 25, which allows for expropriation of land in the public interest - particularly when land remains unused amid urgent social need.
Lentswe contacted the communication department at the municipality for comment.
