Diepsloot landlords count cost as protests reshape rentals
Diepsloot landlords cut ties with their illegal immigrant tenants to avoid penalties and being on the bad side of the community amid illegal immigrant marches.
The ongoing protests in Diepsloot over undocumented immigrants have left many landlords facing difficult decisions.
Some are losing rental income, asking tenants without legal documentation to leave. The protests, have placed landlords under pressure as residents call for stricter compliance when renting out backyard rooms and shacks.
One landlord Bulelwa Mene, said the situation had affected her financially, but felt she had little choice. “It affected me because I had to chase away those who were renting my shack since they were foreigners, but it was for my own good. Now, I ask prospective tenants for identification before renting to them, because the community is against landlords accommodating undocumented immigrants.” She added that she had asked tenants without documents to leave because she feared penalties for renting to undocumented foreigners.
Read more: Shops torched and demolished during Diepsloot protest
Another landlord, Simphiwe Ngwenya, said the protests had resulted in a loss of income after some tenants moved out. “We have asked the undocumented foreigners to leave our yard. We heard that we are not the officials to inspect their papers, so we asked them to be honest. So far, one has moved out while others say they have papers.”
Caption: Shop being burnt down during march against illegal immigrants. Photo: Reitumetse Gugushe
She said landlords face uncertainty because they have no legal authority to verify whether documents shown to them are genuine. “As landlords and South African citizens, we understand the concerns around illegal immigration. If our borders and government had prevented this, we would never have found ourselves in this position.” Despite the financial impact, Ngwenya encouraged residents to remain united.
Also read: Diepsloot school patrollers face growing danger on duty
Resident and landlord Victoria Kubelo said she understood why some community members blamed landlords. “I think they are right, because some of these people are dangerous and when they commit crimes they cannot be traced, I hope the campaign will continue until the community’s concerns are addressed.”
The uncertainty has also affected documented foreign nationals. Palesa Mofokeng, a Lesotho national, said she feared losing her accommodation when the protests intensified. “I am lucky that I have a passport and a valid work permit. Otherwise I would have lost my place because my landlord is asking people without papers to leave.”
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