TWEESPRUIT – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mantsopa Local Municipality has successfully halted the leasing and repurposing of land earmarked for human settlement in Tweespruit, ensuring that this land remains reserved for its original purpose: providing much-needed housing for residents.
Rejection of Mayor’s Proposal
The DA rejects the proposal by Mayor Mamsie Tsoene to lease land earmarked for human settlement in Tweespruit for farming purposes.
This follows intense pressure from Thaba Phachoa residents, who have demanded that the lease agreement for land portion 688 Bergplaas be nullified and that the land claim process be finalised in terms of the Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act of 1998.
Timeline of Events
On 17 April, during a council meeting at the Excelsior ANC-led municipality, various land applications were brought before the council for business and farming purposes. The DA raised concerns that the municipality’s land-leasing process was not aligned with its policies and legislation.
Despite advice provided by the DA to the council, the ANC majority approved a 24-year lease agreement with Frans Farming Pty (Ltd) for land portion 688 Bergplaas.
Recent Developments
On 4 December, this matter was brought back to the council to rescind the lease agreement between Mantsopa Local Municipality and Frans Farming Pty (Ltd).
During this meeting, the Mayor proposed using land that the Provincial Government had purchased for the municipality in Tweespruit for a new township as an alternative to the failed lease agreement.
DA Condemnation
“It is deplorable that the mayor wants to appease her cronies by denying residents of Tweespruit the opportunity to have residential sites,” the DA stated.
The party emphasised that land designated for human settlement must be protected from inappropriate commercial use, particularly when there is significant demand for housing in the area.
The DA remains committed to ensuring that land earmarked for human settlement serves its intended purpose and that residents’ housing needs take precedence over political or commercial interests.
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