MEDIA ADVISORY
TO: Media and Public Notice
ATTENTION: Journalists and Editors
ISSUED: Tuesday, 8 October 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOGALE CITY DISPELS MISINFORMATION ON LAND AUCTIONING
The municipality’s Human Settlements division notes with concern the dissemination of non-factual and inciting information within our local public domain regarding the disposal of municipal property. Whilst the disposal of fallow municipal land affords Mogale City a profiting opportunity for strategic revenue enhancement and project funding, several illegal uses stemming from unused land including dumping and environmental pollution, high maintenance costs, criminal activity and other, creates unmanageable encounters for the municipality.
Following Council resolutions endorsing this approach dating back afar as 2017, 2018 and 2019, the municipality is rolling out its land release programme. Considering growing pressure on the national fiscus, reduced annual budget allocations and growing city operational expenses, the disposal project will not only aid in lowering the municipality’s operating costs but also raise capital to fund essential service delivery initiatives, and in so doing speed up the municipality’s ability to provide improved and efficient services to our constituency.
Whereas the programme has been welcomed based on the registrations and related enquiries received, there does appear to be negative elements aiming to intentionally destabilize the process. The municipality therefore wishes to provide clarity coupled with information related to a phased auctioning process to allay public concerns and dispel misinformation.
The process of municipal land disposal comprises of three phases. As part of this phased process, it should be noted that Phase 1 scheduled for 14 and 15 October will see the auctioning of properties that do not include the sale of any homes. The second phase will include a process of engaging occupants of houses built on municipal land, whilst Phase 3 will see the engagement of churches and faith-based organisations. This will further strengthen an already existing process where the Member of Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements has met with the sector. Those present at the meeting were overwhelmingly in support of the auctioneering process undertaken by the municipality.
Mogale City Human Settlements encourages members of the public, the business and other interested parties to register for the scheduled 14-15 October auction currently underway at the municipality’s Centenary Hall in Market Street or online. Interested parties can also contact the appointed service providers with further enquiries on (011) 574 5700.