Beware of scammers selling RDP houses

The City of Ekurhuleni’s Department of Human Settlements is warning the public to guard against engaging people who are claiming to be representatives of the department and selling RDP houses.

It has come to the attention of the department that scammers are working as syndicates, which are misrepresenting the MMC for Human Settlements Councillor Lesiba Mpya.

The department has learnt that there are fake advertisements that are doing rounds under the pretence of being issued by the office of MMC, who in turn makes arrangements to sell RDP houses.

Mpya distances himself from these illegal acts and would like to urge the public to report such incidents to the police.

Mpya said, “We urge the public to continue reporting all housing fraud to the City’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption hotline on 0800 102 201.”

Report offenders

The department would like to remind the public that if one is offered an RDP house without the seller having the necessary documentation (title deed and permission), the suspects should be reported to their local human settlements department and the police.

Someone wanting to sell their RDP home cannot do so in the first eight years of occupancy, after which it must be offered to the State first.

The seller must further have written consent from the human settlements department and once a house is sold, a letter of authority from the deeds office must be attached to the sale agreement. There is no charge for title deeds.