Pensioner takes legal course against eviction

A widowed pensioner who is at the centre of an attempted eviction from her home of almost 40 years, is receiving legal advice.

The case of Kelinah Mabaso (67) of 15th Avenue was reported in Alex News, week ending 18 July in the article ‘Police save granny from eviction’.

Mabaso has resisted the attempted eviction, which is now being handled by her lawyers. This after police stopped people, allegedly hired by her neighbours, the Modipa family, from ripping off her roof; and also gave an order to them to restore the house to its original state pending legal resolution of the matter.

Mabaso said the attempted eviction by people she once accommodated, started after the death of her husband in 2010 and culminated in the ripping off of the roof.

“They [Modipas] put back the roof and patched the damaged wall, but did so shoddily and not to the original standard as ordered by the police. They used the roof sheets which were damaged from the forced removal, and plastered concrete badly, leaving gaping holes which expose me and my property to rain and cold weather,”she said.

Mabaso added that the shoddy work was reported to her lawyers who are handling the matter. She stressed, “I am now a victim of subtle intimidation to try and force me out of my marriage home – which evokes memories of life with my late husband and children who are now grown and live elsewhere with their families. I can’t imagine life elsewhere.”

She added that the attempt to evict her did not recognise her legal entitlement and was baffling, especially as there was evidence of her many years of residence in the same spot.

Mabaso said that the intimidation had now taken a different turn with the placement of a mobile toilet next to her house, which she believes is an attempt to drive her out with the foul smell it emits. “The stench is unbearable and results from customers who frequent their shebeen, especially on Mondays. I am expected to withstand this as though I am not human,” she lamented.

She said the whole saga will hopefully be resolved soon; and her children, relatives and concerned neighbours gave her strength which will see her through the ordeal. She said that she couldn’t elaborate on the legal process for now to avoid prejudicing her case.

Meanwhile Johannes Modipa of the family could not be reached for comment.

Previous article:Police halt attempted eviction of widow

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