A five bedroom house was allegedly sold for R100 at an auction by Midvaal Local Municipality. This led to the eviction of Emily Mofokeng (59) and her family on Monday afternoon at De Deur.
Emily Mofokeng of De Deur was thrown out of her house on Monday after it was allegedly sold at an auction for R100. Photo: Mduduzi Mathebula.
DE DEUR.- A five bedroom house was allegedly sold for R100 at an auction by Midvaal Local Municipality. This led to the eviction of Emily Mofokeng (59) and her family on Monday afternoon at De Deur. Mofokeng’s nightmare apparently started in 2003 when a particular man served her and her husband with an eviction letter claiming to have bought the house at an auction for R100.
On Monday a group of people marched to Mofokeng’s residence and threw her out on the streets. Community members say that this is not the first time Mofokeng has been ‘harassed’ and that she has changed lawyers numerous times.The people who however claim the house belongs to them now won’t leave her alone.
According to Mofokeng the house was built by her late husband after he bought a stand in the area in 1994: “We built this house from scratch and worked hard for it. I have been in and out of courts and these people just won’t leave me alone. What is R100 for a house?” asked the widow. When asked why she suspects the house could have been sold for such a paltry amount, Mofokeng says she suspects that it is because she owed R100 on her rates and taxes (Masakhane) some time ago and that is why the house was put on auction for that amount.
Ward 11 councillor Sebenzile Hlengwa says the Midvaal Local Municipality has terrorised the old lady and other residents for so long. “We cannot allow such things to happen to our brothers and sisters. We are going to investigate this matter and get to the bottom of it. How can the municipality sell someone’s house for R100?” asked Hlengwa.
The two eviction letters that are in possession of Sedibeng Ster contradict each other as the other claims that it is the Midvaal Local Municipality that sold the house at an auction while another claims that it is the Emfuleni Local Municipality.
Midvaal Local Municipality Mayor Bongani Baloyi says that he personally went to Mofokeng’s house and took all the details about the matter. His office is investigating the case. Meanwhile community members have forced the old lady back into the house and the people who claim to have bought the house were not available for comment at the time of going to print. mathebula.mduduzi@media24.com
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Lebo Chaha is a journalist for Sedibeng Ster and Ster North. She is mostly passionate about stories that bring positive change in her community. Email: lebo@mooivaal.co.za
