MBOMBELA – The owner of an RDP house, who hasn’t been able to live there since 2011, now relies on the Criminal Court to assert his rights.
Mr Solomon Dlamini lives in Tekwane South, where his RDP house was built.
A letter from the National Department of Housing reflected that a subsidy amount had been set aside for this and MP Shutterhands was contracted to construct it. Upon completion in 2011, he received notice that he had two days to move in. He gathered his belongings and was ready to do so when he encountered a squatter.
The Legal Aid Board assisted him in obtaining an eviction order against the illegal occupant, Mr Sfindiso Shongwe, in the Nelspruit Civil District Court in 2012. Shongwe did not move. In 2013, the same procedure was followed and Shongwe was again ordered to vacate the stand.
On October 21 the complainant approached the Criminal Court and Shongwe was ordered to leave the stand immediately. The accused was brought before court again yesterday as Dlamini testified that Shongwe was still living in his house. The accused flatly denied this.
Magistrate Ms Faith Mahlale ordered that the accused be held in custody until he appeared in court on Monday. The police will inspect the stand to ascertain who is squatting on Dlamini’s property. Shongwe may be charged with contempt of court if it is confirmed that he did not vacate the property on October 21.
