SASOLBURG – Metsimaholo Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Jeff Zwane, handed over more than 100 title deeds to homeowners in Iraq, Gortin, phases four and five on Thursday, April 20.
Zwane was accompanied by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlement Thulani Mbana, LED Director Moyagabo Tlhaphane, Ward Councilor Bhondo Radebe, and the Municipal Manager Advocate Leaoa Mofokeng during the handover.
Hundreds of young and old residents gathered occupied the houses for almost two decades, gathered in joy at Kopanelang-Thuto Primary School to receive their much-anticipated documents.
Ululation, cheers, singing, and chanting were the order of the day, as residents celebrated officially owning their homes.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster on the sidelines, MMC Mbana said the title deeds have been in the offices of the municipality and the previous administration withheld them.
“We are here to issue about 123 title deeds; however, this is just the beginning of the first phase. These are documents that have always been there, but the previous administration had no interest in issuing them out to the rightful owners. Us [the new administration] understand that people need the dignity of the document hence we issuing them out,” he said.
Mbane said they issued notifications to relevant beneficiaries with the venue, time, and date of receiving their documents.
“The oldest recipient is around 89 years of age and occupied the houses 18 years ago,” he said.
“As the municipality, we emphasize that people should have full ownership of houses they occupy because we understand the importance of generational inheritance. Without a title you cannot truly claim the houses,” he added.
Zwane said the issuing of titles marks a historic day for the people of Metsimaholo.
“I feel very much excited indeed because this is a historic moment from the side of Metsimaholo Municipality to can issue title deeds to the residents of phases four and five. Our people are happy as well because many did not understand what a title deed means, but we made it clear that these are documents that entitle them to own the land they stay in,” he said.
Zwane alluded to recipients not abusing their titles after waiting for many years to receive them.
“They should not allow their homes to be rented out or turned into spaza shops, they should enjoy occupying them,” he said.
Martha Mokoena, one of the recipients said she is happy to finally receive her title deed.
“Words cannot express my feelings right now. At least now I can sleep better at night knowing that the house belongs to me, officially,” she said.
