Three decades of waiting for title deeds
Tshwane metro and Gauteng Human Settlement Department made a promise last year that they would appoint a new panel of attorneys that would first need to collect title deeds issued wrongly because they are required for lodgement.
Homeowners in Nellmapius are still without their title deeds, after waiting more than three months for those issued wrongfully to be corrected.
Thirty-seven homeowners in Nellmapius Ext 1 (Proper) claimed Tshwane metro and the Gauteng Human Settlements Department promised last year to appoint a new panel of attorneys that would reclaim the title deeds issued wrongly to correct them.
One of them, Willeminah Jafta said they had already been waiting for three decades for the title deeds.
Jafta said the Tshwane metro and Gauteng government announced that they would resolve the matter within three months.
She said 162 families were first citizens of Nellmapius but 37 of them are still waiting for their title deeds.
“We have been in contact with Tshwane House and Mini Munitoria in Mamelodi over the years but we are yet to receive our title deeds,” said Jafta.
“We were told that the title deeds are still coming and they are waiting for the authorities.”
She said they were still waiting for the new panel of attorneys the department said they would appoint to complete the job.
“The attorneys were supposed to first come and collect title deeds issued wrongly because they are required for lodgement.
“Nobody came to our home to collect any papers.”
The residents claimed they have many challenges in Nellmapius Ext 1, including exorbitant bills for water and electricity. Some have received a final letter of demand, but they [the elderly] can’t make a payment arrangement. The families have improved their houses but don’t have a title deed.”
Another resident Berend Cloete said he bought a house in 1999 from the original owner and had been applying for a title deed since 2006.
Cloete said some of the owners had passed on, and their heirs – children and grandchildren – can’t get a title deed.
“We submitted everything they requested from us, but nothing is happening.”
In his statement last year, Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the Gauteng Human Settlements Department will rectify the 37 title deeds issued wrongfully to homeowners in Nellmapius.
Mashigo said the department will appoint a new panel of attorneys to complete the job.
“In 2021, a Tshwane metro and Gauteng government drive to provide security of tenure to the homeowners registered 37 properties in Nellmapius Ext 1 (Proper) to the wrong people.
Mashigo said the attorney would first need to collect title deeds issued wrongly because they are required for lodgement.
According to him, more homeowners in Nellmapius Proper and Nellmapius Ext 1 still needed title deeds.
He said the error was that title deeds issued for homes in Nellmapius Ext 1 had addresses for homes in Nellmapius Proper.
“The properties that were targeted were found to be located in Nellmapius Proper instead of Nellmapius Ext 1. As such, wrong properties were transferred,” said Mashigo.
Mashigo said the metro started collecting the wrongfully issued title deeds from homeowners in July.
“The attorneys are in the process of drafting the Rectification Agreements, which will be signed by the affected beneficiaries.
“Where the approved beneficiaries are deceased, the heirs must obtain nomination (letter of authority/executorship) from the office of the Master,” he added.
“It is anticipated that this process, which includes the signing of the rectification agreements, lodgement, and issuance of rectified titles, will be concluded within three months.”
Jafta said: “The previous councillor is the one who took his time and went up and down with us and managed to help a few of us get our title deeds.”
Mashigo said the rectification process is underway pending the finalisation of verifying of occupation of the 37 properties.
He added that once the process is completed, all affected beneficiaries will be called to sign rectification agreements with the appointed attorney before the end of March 2025.
“The attorney has already been appointed by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements,” said Mashigo.
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