The Democratic Alliance (DA) has requested an audit of the sale of municipal land in Phokwane municipality. This comes as an illegal development on a green zone, in the middle of Jan Kempdorp, looks set to expand.
Almost a decade ago, the municipality sold the park, made up of between six and eight stands in total. Despite the land requiring rezoning, no public participation ever took place. There is also no proper record of the sale, other than a cheque-book leaf for an amount of R110 000. The property was not serviced at the time of the sale and the purchase was made on condition that the owner would be fully responsible for servicing the property. The owner would also be responsible for developing entrances to the property.
A year and a half ago, a house was built on the piece of land that is still not serviced. While it is unknown what type of sanitation is being utilised, a ditch was dug across the tar road, to provide an electricity connection. There is no proof that the land was rezoned for residential purposes or that the electricity connection is legal.
Recently, three truckloads of bricks were offloaded on the premises, raising concern that further illegal developments are about to mushroom on the property, which remains to be serviced.
Community members have been seeking answers for almost a decade and have since initiated legal action.
The issues regarding the property in question are not isolated. In another incident, a property measuring 1000 hectares, that was bought for R76 000, was recently returned to the municipality after the owner could not keep up with the rates and taxes payments.
The DA has submitted our concerns to the Speaker and requested that an audit into all sales of municipal land, dating back over a decade, be urgently conducted. Proper processes need to be followed throughout, otherwise the irregular sale of land may translate into corruption.