Leeuwfontein informal settlement? Tshwane probes illegal suburb

Residents of an illegal settlement of Leeuwfontein, East of Pretoria are seeking recognition from the City of Tswane Municipality as an established township and receive basic services.

However, the city has launched an investigation into the Leeuwfontein development which it says sprung up without legal subdivision of the property, rezoning or plans. An article by GroundUp highlights the plight of residents who say they are living without services such as electricity, water, sewage, refuse removal and street maintenance, from the municipality.

LEEUWFONTEIN RESIDENTS WELCOME THE CITY’S PROBE

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Several residents that spoke to GroundUp say they actually welcomed the City’s investigation and hoped that it will lead to the area being formalised.

Abel Sikatane and Ernest Buthelezi both used parts of their pension payout to purchase their plots. Sikatane paid R87 000 for his piece of land. While Buthelezi paid R145,000.

“I built a house for my family. I’m now disappointed because there are no basic services here. I hope the investigation will make good changes,” said Sikatane.

Both men and other residents bought their plots of land from Malesela Marema. Marema confirmed to GroundUp that he sold plots through Mirror Developers.

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The residents who still do not have their title deeds say, Marema promised them that there would be development in the area, including basic services such as running water and electricity.

DEVELOPERS SUBDIVIDED LAND ILLEGALLY

Marema told GroundUp that the developers had applied to the City of Tshwane in 2010 for the establishment of a township and submitted all the requirements in person. He said the City never responded.

“They are not telling the truth. The municipality also wanted to take over the area [Leeuwfontein] in 2022. They asked for the costs and we gave them everything in a report, but they did not come back to us,” he claimed.

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Meanwhile the City spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the City has issued contravention notices to the land owners and the matter has been referred to the City’s legal department.

Bokaba says the land owners had subdivided and sold the plots to residents illegally. Unfortunately for the residents, Bokaba says the City has no plans of providing services in the area.

“The City does not have a programme of helping the people who live in stands that they bought illegally. This (illegal subdivision and sale of land) is a criminal offence that needs to be addressed through a proper process.”

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