The Thembelihle Residents Association has launched a fundraising campaign to support almost 200 tenants already evicted from Thembelihle Village social housing units in Pretoria in March and another 348 facing eviction amid escalating disputes over rent and housing conditions.

Association secretary Mary Tati, said the evicted tenants were left homeless and exposed to harsh weather without alternative accommodation. 

“Our aim is to go to the appeal court to try to get those already evicted being reinstated in their housing units,” she said.

She added that the campaign will also support 348 more tenants who are now facing eviction due to a recent court application by the landlord.

Thembelihle Village, a low-cost housing project launched by the government in 2018, has been marred by problems stemming from tenants’ alleged non-payment of rent and utilities. 

The property has since been placed under business rescue, with outstanding arrears approaching R60 million, according to Yeast City Housing NPC, the project’s manager.

However, Tati disputes the claim that evictions are due to non-payment, saying that tenants are contesting this assertion. 

“What drove us to start this campaign is that the business rescue now wants to evict at least 348 of our members who are presumed to be owing the landlord. We cannot afford the legal fees anymore because our other members have been outside since March and now they are gunning at us again for another eviction,” she said.

She said the landlord has applied for the eviction of the second group while the association is still waiting for the appeal date for the first group.

The landlord claims in court papers that the tenants have embarked on a rent boycott, and therefore, they are considered unlawful occupiers of the properties.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing and Human Settlements in Tshwane, Aaron Maluleka, recently voiced concerns that social housing projects intended for individuals earning between R11,301 and R22,000 per month are being compromised due to tenants’ failure to pay rent and their disruptive behaviour.

“The reports of rent boycotts and disruptive behaviour from individuals who evade their rental obligations are concerning. Such actions undermine the sustainability of social housing initiatives and place undue pressure on both the government and responsible tenants striving to fulfil their commitments,” he said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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