Illicit sale of houses on the rise
Concern over house disputes and false sales of property by strangers.
Disputes over houses being sold without the knowledge of title deed holders are on the increase in some areas.
Such cases are prevalent in Dobsonville and Bramfischer where people get thrown out of their houses by strangers claiming to have bought a house.
Elseworth Kunene, Francina Noncaa, Dipono Selau and Dikeledi Pitswane all claim to have been victims of these questionable deals.
Among these people, some have lost their houses and others are still fighting to save them.
City of Joburg‘s Department of Housing spokeswoman Bubu Xuba said once the department issues out a title deed, the property becomes private property, as such people are encouraged to resolve their issues.
Xuba said it is not the department’s mandate to solve issues where people are being “robbed” of their houses.
“But as a caring department, we do facilitate and try to resolve matters that are brought to our attention.
“So, whilst we can assist, it remains the responsibility of the title deed owner to safeguard their property and write a will so that in the event of death, there are no disputes about ownership of the houses,” said Xuba.
