By 
BLOEMFONTEIN — The Free State High Court has dismissed an application by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that sought to halt the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s #BoduloMothong housing programme. The court ruled against the opposition party with costs, paving the way for the local government to proceed with its human settlements initiative.
The legal battle centered on the #BoduloMothong programme, a flagship municipal initiative designed to provide housing opportunities to vulnerable residents and qualifying beneficiaries across the Mangaung municipality.
A “Victory” for Vulnerable Residents
Following the verdict, high-ranking municipal officials expressed relief and celebrated the court’s decision. Councillor Ntombi Nhlapo, the MMC for Planning and Human Settlements, alongside Ward 13 Councillor Nombulelo Sitoe, were in attendance at the Free State High Court to hear the judgment firsthand.
Speaking after the proceedings, Cllr. Sitoe hailed the ruling as a major milestone for the city’s poorest communities.
“This is a victory for Mangaung,” Sitoe stated. “It has been a long fight for residents who continue to struggle with housing challenges. We did this for the residents of Mangaung, and we are pleased that the programme can continue to serve our communities.”
According to municipal leadership, the dismissal ensures that the rollout of shelter and land allocation to those in need can continue without further legal delays.
DA Stands Firm on the Rule of Law
In response to the judgment, the DA released a statement clarifying that its legal challenge was aimed at ensuring proper municipal compliance, rather than denying citizens their right to housing.
DA Councillor for the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Greg van Noord, emphasized that the party’s primary concern remains the lawful and sustainable development of human settlements. The DA’s application had specifically sought to compel the municipality to follow strict legal and compliance prescripts regarding:
- Land preparation
- Site demarcation
- Basic service installation
- The structured placement of residents
“This matter has never been about denying people access to housing,” Cllr. Van Noord explained. “It is about ensuring that human settlement projects are lawful, properly planned, and supported by reliable basic services such as water, sanitation, roads, refuse removal and electricity.”
Van Noord argued that handing over housing without the necessary underground and civil infrastructure fails to truly uplift the community. “Housing without basic services does not restore dignity; it simply moves vulnerable residents from one hardship to another,” he added.
Next Steps and Legal Review
The DA has indicated that it is not yet ready to concede the broader policy battle. The party announced it will carefully study the full Free State High Court order and the legal reasoning behind the dismissal before deciding on its next course of action.
While reserving all its legal rights and options, the opposition party maintained that future steps will be guided by facts, statutory law, and a commitment to adequate housing standards.
For now, the High Court’s ruling stands as a green light for the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, allowing the #BoduloMothong programme to move forward immediately. However, the spotlight will likely remain on the local government to see if they can deliver the sustainable infrastructure and dignified housing that both sides of the council agree the residents deserve.
