Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein – The ongoing challenges faced by Universitas residents regarding illegal student accommodation developments appear to require nothing short of divine intervention, after repeated complaints to Mangaung Metro and the Executive Mayor have yielded no tangible action.
This follows an acknowledgement by Mangaung Metro Executive Mayor Greg Mosala Solomon Nthatisi, who confirmed receipt of an email from a Universitas resident regarding the construction of an alleged illegal student residence and promised that the matter would be “prioritised accordingly.” Months later, no action has been taken.
According to correspondence seen by this publication, John lodged a formal complaint regarding a large-scale building development that he says is illegal. He stated that although construction was temporarily halted after intervention by Mangaung Metro officials, work later resumed despite non-compliance.
In his email to Mayor Nthatisi, John wrote:
“I am reaching out for your assistance since I have sent numerous emails over the past six months to Mangaung officials, apparently without any action being taken to stop this large-scale illegal building development.
Why is this illegal building allowed to proceed uninterrupted, despite confirmed illegality and notification by Mangaung to the owners to stop building?
Is there an unwillingness by the legal department to act on the violations and put a stop to the illegal development?”
John explained that construction began in December 2023 but was halted by Mangaung Metro due to the absence of approved building plans and violations of municipal regulations.
However, construction resumed in December 2024.
“I have been sending emails since 17 December 2024 to Marlise Boshoff and Johannes Smith at Mangaung. Despite several site visits by officials and a meeting between the property owner and the municipality, construction continues,” he said.
John added that Mangaung Metro confirmed that no building plans, rezoning, or subdivision approvals had been granted for the site, rendering the development illegal.
On 7 July 2025, Mayor Nthatisi responded, stating that the matter would be prioritised. To date, residents say nothing has changed.
George is not the only resident raising concerns. Another Universitas resident, Yaku, whom this publication interviewed two weeks ago, reported similar frustrations.
In response to complaints in 2024, Mangaung official Marlise Boshoff allegedly wrote:
“Please find the attached notice served. Please inform us if any activity takes place again during nighttime so that further action can be taken through the Enforcement Unit.”
Despite this assurance, residents say construction has continued.
Frikkie Einsburg also shared his frustration over what he described as a lack of enforcement and accountability by the municipality.
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Legal expert Advocate Ramon Henney said the University of the Free State must conduct proper audits of student accommodation facilities.
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He further stated that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) should also shoulder responsibility, as its funding model indirectly fuels the proliferation of unregulated student housing.
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Henney puts the blame squarely on home owners.
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In conclusion, he says hawkers are selling drugs and there are at least two brothels.
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George Masuabi from Mangaung Metro has not accepted our request for an interview.
John* not his real name.
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