A South Hills family says they are living in fear after receiving an eviction order that could leave a mother, her daughters and her five children without a home.

The family has been living in a City of Johannesburg council flat for about seven years. According to the community housing committee member who has been assisting them, the situation began when a man who originally placed the family in the unit approached the court and obtained an eviction order.

“What happened here is the lady’s been staying in this unit for seven years,” the committee member said.

The committee member claims the man told the court that the family was unlawfully occupying his premises, despite the unit being part of a City of Johannesburg housing complex.

“Because these are City of Johannesburg council units, there is protocol. You cannot put a family, especially a woman with kids, on the street,” the committee member said.

Questions over court proceedings

According to the committee member, the family was not given a fair opportunity to present its case in court.

The committee member alleged that the mother was required to enter the courtroom alone and that her documents were not properly considered before the eviction order was granted.

The eviction notice reportedly gave the family until June 15 to vacate the property.

Concerns have also been raised about the role of housing officials. Documents seen by the committee member allegedly show that City housing officials were summoned to court but did not attend.

“The housing officials were also summoned to the court, but they didn’t come to the court. That’s why she had to face this situation alone,” the committee member said.

Appeal to the housing department

After learning of the eviction order, the family and committee members approached the City’s housing department for assistance. The committee member said they met with housing officials, including senior management, and discussed possible solutions for the family.

According to the committee member, officials acknowledged that the registered tenant had allegedly neglected the unit for several years.

“The legal owner of this unit neglected this unit for seven years,” the committee member claimed. The family was allegedly advised to submit supporting documents, including proof of residence and information relating to one of the children who has a disability. The committee member said officials initially indicated that alternative arrangements could be considered for the family.

The eviction threat has reportedly had a serious emotional impact on the family, particularly on the 12-year-old child with autism. The committee member said the child became distressed after learning that the family could lose its home.

“He was crying in the meeting and asking if they were going to be put on the street,” the committee member said. The family believes removing them from the property would be especially difficult given the presence of young children and a child living with a disability.

Concerns about empty and occupied units

The committee member also raised concerns about several other units within the complex. It is alleged that some flats have been illegally occupied by individuals who moved in without following the required housing processes.

“My disappointment is that there are people who broke down doors and moved into units, but no action is being taken against them,” the committee member said.

The committee member further questioned why vacant units could not be used to accommodate vulnerable residents facing eviction. “There are so many empty units, and people want to put a woman and children on the street while there are vacant flats. I don’t think that is fair.”

The committee member has called on the City of Johannesburg to conduct inspections throughout the complex to determine which units are legally occupied and which are not.

Community support

Residents have rallied behind the family and signed a petition in support of their continued stay in the complex.

According to the committee member, community members confirmed that the family has lived in the unit for years and is known throughout the neighbourhood.

“We even did a petition. The community signed it and stated that the mother and her family have been in this unit for seven years.”

As the family awaits clarity from housing authorities, they remain uncertain about what will happen next. With the eviction order still hanging over them, the family says it hopes the City will intervene before they are left without a place to call home.

The Southern Courier (incorporating Comaro Chronicle) contacted the City of Johannesburg and the City’s Housing Department for comment on the matter, including.

At the time of publication, no response had been received. The City of Johannesburg indicated that it would provide a response, which will be published once received.