Jagersfontein community receives title deeds

The department of public works handed over 69 title deeds to pensioners while 12 were donated to unemployed person

The community of Charlesville in Jagersfontein was recently awarded more than 80 title deeds as part of a drive by the provincial government to ensure that Free State citizens especially the elderly and unemployed in the province become legal home owners.

Most of the beneficiaries of the title deeds have never owned land before. The handover took place two weeks ago. The provincial government delegation was led by the MEC for public works, Sisi Mabe, and head of department, Maditse Seoke. The executive mayor of Xhariep District Municipality, Mongi Ntwanambi and the mayor of Kopanong Local Municipality, Xolile Matwa, were also present during the handover.

Public works communication officer, Mlungisi Magubela, said land and houses that were handed over were previously owned by De Beers Consolidated Mines, which handed over the land to then apartheid government in 1978. The properties on the land were registered as state assets by the department of public works.

The provincial cabinet led by premier, Ace Magashule, recently took a decision that of the 145 houses in the area earmarked for disposal, 81 should be donated to pensioners and unemployed persons.

The department of public works handed over 69 title deeds to pensioners while 12 were donated to unemployed persons. Magubela told The Weekly that the remaining 60 houses were recorded as occupied structures by employed persons and a deal was reached that they should be sold to them at municipal related rates of R70 000.00 each.

The remaining four structures were donated to the department of social development to utilise them as office space to bring social services closer to the people of Jagersfontein.

Seoke said the provincial government was proud to restore the dignity of the people of Jagersfontein.

‘’Today’s occasion marks an important milestone not only to us as government but to you to the people of Charlesville, because as of today you are proud owners of land,” said Seoke.

Ntwanambi said the handing over of the title deeds was a part of government’s plan to ensure that previously disadvantaged people become rightful owners of houses.

“Hence we are celebrating the handing over of these title deeds today,” said Ntwanambi.