Plans to temporarily lease municipal land acquired for housing sparked debate at a recent KwaDukuza council meeting, with councillors demanding greater consultation.

The municipality is considering leasing land at Hyde Park and Vlakspruit after receiving applications from companies, farmers and individuals.

The properties were acquired for human settlements, but potential projects are still awaiting funding, planning approvals and bulk infrastructure. Officials argue temporary leases could protect the vacant land from illegal occupation until development begins.

Nkobongo ANC councillor Ali Ngidi strongly opposed the proposal, saying councillors representing affected communities had not been properly consulted.

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“For this item to go as far as being presented here to council without consultation is an insult,” he said.

Ngidi said residents expected municipally acquired land to eventually provide housing and warned that leasing it without consultation could cause anger.

The Courier previously reported that Vlakspruit was being considered as a site to relocate illegal occupiers from municipal land next to Shaka’s Head, but services would first need to be installed. The municipality did not respond to a request for an update.

ANC councillor Sanele Mthiyane and ActionSA councillor Penny Fourie also called for further consultation and information, including a financial analysis of potentially valuable commercial land.

The proposal envisaged five-year leases, with properties remaining in agricultural use and available for housing development once funding became available.

Former acting municipal manager Siyabonga Khanyile stressed that no decision had been made to lease the properties.

“The actual decision on that is council’s. Ours was just to assist the process,” he said.

In response to our questions, KwaDukuza municipality spokesperson Bridget Shange said human settlements projects involved several stages, including planning, approvals, funding and construction. She said leasing municipal properties would not automatically replace long-term development objectives and any decision would be subject to due process.

Council ultimately deferred the proposal for further consideration.