Mogale City mayor honours Swanneville massacre victims, grants title deeds to residents

By Thapelo Molefe

The mayor of Mogale City Local Municipality, Lucky Sele, has handed over title deeds to residents in Ward 35, Swanneville, marking the 34th anniversary of the Swanneville Massacre on 12 May 1991.

The hand-over ceremony, held on Monday, is part of the municipality’s ongoing effort to grant formal property ownership to long-time residents lacking legal documentation.

“This title deed handover reaffirms the fundamental rights to land, shelter, and dignity—rights historically denied to our people,” Sele said.

He described the victims of the massacre as “martyrs of our democratic struggle” and stressed the importance of preserving their memory.

Sele noted further the significance of the title deed handover as a pivotal step towards restoring dignity and justice for communities impacted by past injustices.

“This initiative is not merely symbolic but a concrete measure towards healing historical wounds,” he said.

The ceremony paid homage to the 28 people who