Frustrated by the Mangaung Metro\u2019s inaction, residents often resort to land grabs, hoping for relocation to a suitable area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DA councillor Thomas Ferreira said the DA will intensify its efforts to expose and pressure the metro to utilise allocated grants as intended Z<\/span> ensuring housing and essential services reach vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Mangaung Metro has seen a surge in illegal land invasions over the past years. Many individuals occupying land unlawfully cite the dire lack of housing and municipal services as their primary reason,\u201d Ferreira said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of these informal settlements is Sejake in ward 15. Residents have waited for over 20 years for basic services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the Mangaung Council meeting on 31 January, the Auditor-General (AG) exposed shocking financial mismanagement. The Informal Settlement Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUPG) was underspent by 25%, amounting to R43 million, while the Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG) saw a 1.2% underspending, totalling R5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The AG stated: \u201cThe inability of the municipality to properly manage its grant funding causes service delivery breakdowns, leaving the most vulnerable in our community behind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not the first time such underspending has been flagged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These funds are specifically allocated to uplift informal settlers in places like Sejake, ensuring access to housing and basic services, as guaranteed by the South African Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe DA will not stand idly by while millions meant for community upliftment are wasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe will hold the municipality accountable, demand urgent corrective action, and ensure these funds are spent efficiently to improve the lives of those who need them most.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Frustrated by the Mangaung Metro\u2019s inaction, residents often resort to land grabs, hoping for relocation to a suitable 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