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IOL News
04-08-2025
- General
- IOL News
Thembelihle Residents Association launches fundraising campaign for evicted tenants
The Thembelihle Residents Association has launched a fundraising campaign to aid tenants who were left to spend the night on the streets in March after being evicted from Thembelihle Village, a Pretoria-based social housing complex. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Media The Thembelihle Residents Association has launched a fundraising campaign to support almost 200 tenants already evicted from Thembelihle Village social housing units in Pretoria in March and another 348 facing eviction amid escalating disputes over rent and housing conditions. Association secretary Mary Tati, said the evicted tenants were left homeless and exposed to harsh weather without alternative accommodation. "Our aim is to go to the appeal court to try to get those already evicted being reinstated in their housing units," she said. She added that the campaign will also support 348 more tenants who are now facing eviction due to a recent court application by the landlord. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Thembelihle Village, a low-cost housing project launched by the government in 2018, has been marred by problems stemming from tenants' alleged non-payment of rent and utilities. The property has since been placed under business rescue, with outstanding arrears approaching R60 million, according to Yeast City Housing NPC, the project's manager. However, Tati disputes the claim that evictions are due to non-payment, saying that tenants are contesting this assertion. "What drove us to start this campaign is that the business rescue now wants to evict at least 348 of our members who are presumed to be owing the landlord. We cannot afford the legal fees anymore because our other members have been outside since March and now they are gunning at us again for another eviction," she said. She said the landlord has applied for the eviction of the second group while the association is still waiting for the appeal date for the first group. The landlord claims in court papers that the tenants have embarked on a rent boycott, and therefore, they are considered unlawful occupiers of the properties. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing and Human Settlements in Tshwane, Aaron Maluleka, recently voiced concerns that social housing projects intended for individuals earning between R11,301 and R22,000 per month are being compromised due to tenants' failure to pay rent and their disruptive behaviour. 'The reports of rent boycotts and disruptive behaviour from individuals who evade their rental obligations are concerning. Such actions undermine the sustainability of social housing initiatives and place undue pressure on both the government and responsible tenants striving to fulfil their commitments,' he said.
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Tshwane's social housing projects face challenges from rent boycotts
Recent evictions at Thembelihle Village, a low-cost housing project in Pretoria's CBD, have left residents without a place to call home after they failed to pay rent. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Media Rent boycotts and disruptive behaviour from non-paying tenants are posing significant sustainability challenges to private social housing projects in the City of Tshwane. MMC for Housing and Human Settlements, Aaron Maluleka, has expressed concern that government-initiated housing projects for individuals earning R11,301 to R22,000 monthly are being undermined by tenants' non-payment of rent and disruptive behaviour. This follows the recent eviction of tenants from Thembelihle Village, Tshwane's pioneering social housing project, amid prolonged disputes over rent and soaring electricity costs. Thembelihle Village, a low-cost housing project launched by the government in 2018, has been plagued by issues stemming from tenants' non-payment of rent and utilities, ultimately leading to the property being placed under business rescue. Yeast City Housing NPC, the manager of Thembelihle Village, recently reported that numerous tenants have defaulted on payments since 2019, causing financial strain on utilities, services, and rentals, with outstanding arrears nearing R60 million. Maluleka stated that the townlands social housing project marks a significant milestone in Tshwane's quest for affordable housing solutions. 'This initiative is not merely about constructing buildings, but it is a transformative effort aimed at creating healthier, sustainable, and inclusive communities,' he said. He explained that by offering subsidised rental fees, townlands provide a critical lifeline for individuals and families within the income band of between R1,850 and R22,000 per month, enabling them to access housing that is both affordable and conveniently located near the city centre. He said: 'As urbanisation continues to rise, so does the demand for affordable housing in urban centres. The townlands social housing project responds directly to this need, granting residents the opportunity to live close to their places of work and economic activities, ultimately contributing to the reduction of the housing backlog in our communities.' The project is a collaborative effort between the Social Housing Regulatory Agency and Housing Company Tshwane to improve the quality of life for Tshwane residents. Maluleka noted that while the social housing project marks a fresh start for many, it is crucial to recognise the challenges private social housing initiatives are currently facing. 'The reports of rent boycotts and disruptive behaviour from individuals who evade their rental obligations are concerning. Such actions undermine the sustainability of social housing initiatives and place undue pressure on both the government and responsible tenants striving to fulfil their commitments,' he said. He said his department advocates for a proactive approach in light of these challenges. 'We urge residents who experience a change in their economic circumstances to communicate with our department. Our goal is to redirect assistance to those who need it most, ensuring that no family is left behind during these trying times. The complexity of housing affordability necessitates transparency and cooperation between tenants and housing authorities, as we work together to build a stronger, unified community,' he said. Maluleka called on the public and stakeholders to support the city's efforts to tackle homelessness and address long-standing housing issues in the municipality. 'The reduction in grant funding for human settlements in metropolitan municipalities diminishes our financial bandwidth, necessitating a sharper focus on essential trading services, including energy, water, sanitation and solid waste management,' he said. [email protected]
