Diepsloot family dumped onto cold street before Mandela Day

Diepsloot resident, Patrick Nkqayi and his family experienced Mandela Day fever in reverse.

What they are going through is the opposite of what Tata Madiba would wish for anyone. As many South Africans were preparing for their 67 minutes of community service activities to honour the late Nelson Mandela, Nkqayi and his family were being evicted from their home onto the chilly streets.

He and his children spent the weekend of 16 to 17 July on the cold street after being evicted from their home of many years after his property was sold behind his back by a former girlfriend. Nkqayi does not understand how his house was sold without his involvement since his name was also on the title deed.

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“This is not what Mandela stood for. My desire to celebrate Mandela Day has been disturbed because now we are on the streets. This is the opposite of what Mandela stood for,” said Nkqayi during an interview with Fourways Review.

He was evicted a few months ago but successfully challenged the eviction, however, his challenge was successfully appealed by the new homeowner, leading to his second eviction.

To make matters worse, his children won’t be attending school on 18 July as their uniforms were dirty due to the family not having access to water.

DA councillor in the area Refilwe Mathebula was fuming about the matter. Mathebula’s anger was directed at Nkqayi’s lawyer who was paid R17 000 to provide legal services. “His lawyer is not helping him, even though he paid him all that money,” said Mathebula.

Nkqayi’s advocate Krystol Adams, confirmed to this paper that he withdrew the services after lawyer Antonio Khupane, giving her instructions for the case, failed to pay her enough money for her services.

“Mr Kuphane owes me money,” said Adams.

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“I was paid only R4 000 but have been to court twice. My fees are R7 500 each time I make a court appearance. I can’t work for free. But I am the one who got him back into his house when he was initially evicted.”

Khupane said he had only received R17 000 from his client, adding that he paid the advocate R7 300 and had proof to back his claims.

The lawyer added that he would refund Nkqayi. “He must come to my office to collect his money, I no longer want to be involved in his case. I thought I was helping a homeless man but he is giving me problems,” said Kuphane.

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