Housing Indaba tackles illegal eviction trend in Protea

Illegal evictions in Protea Glen are fast becoming a major thorn especially for the unsuspecting elderly residents whom have been left flustered and in fear of being next in line of the ruthless criminality which has rendered many in the area homeless.

Residents recently convened for a housing indaba which sought to seek a resolution following a rise in cases of people who were illegally evicted or threatened to vacate their homes.

Andrew Hlatshwayo (73) who formerly lived in extension 11 until 2016 when his house was sold in an illegal manner said he was distraught at the crude and unknown manner he lost his home.

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“My house was fully paid up and was awaiting the title deed when suddenly different people from banks appeared informing us that they had bought the house.

“We visited the bank and directed to the deeds office where I was shown a list of buyers of the house. I don’t know how that happened because we never signed any agreement instead they have sent us pillar to post.

“Until today we have not been able to get clear answers. Now we are forced to use the grant for rent or else we won’t have a roof over our heads,” he told Urban News.

Residents took turns painting a grim picture of how they were scammed out of their homes, evicted and left homeless, while some faced the prospects of losing their houses in what is believed to be syndicates that are targeting people’s houses.

Another resident, 62-year-old Annie Khoza who lost her house and money in a scam said she was kicked out of her home in July after it appeared that it had been sold by a man whom she believed was a prophet. The devastated woman said she did not know where to seek assistance.

EFF PR Cllr for Ward 135, Dzunisani Baloyi said the rate of the illegal evictions had increased in recent months.

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“I currently have 18 cases at hand. When you look at the cases of the people who are evicted, they are mainly targeting the older people whose houses are paid up.

“Most people who are evicted will tell you about the police and documentation from the sheriff so we wanted to get to the root of this problem but they didn’t honour our invitation.

“Most of the time, the office of the sheriff doesn’t even go to the ward cllr so we can’t vet these people,” he slammed.

Baloyi states that there were people working with foreign nationals in targeting vulnerable residents within the ward. He further alleged that the suspected syndicates worked with the banks and facilitated the illegal sale of houses within these banking institutions who are privy to information.

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“We strongly believe that they get information from the banks and use it to sell people’s homes, leaving people with no shelter. That is why we wanted the banks here today but none have shown up. It is concerning because our area is fast developing, we have a lot of houses being built and I am afraid if we don’t address this issue, it’s only going to get worse.”