Shanaaz Dyason, 40, claims that the City of Cape Town is attempting to remove her from the house she has lived in for the past 30 years.
Reprinted from iol.co.za, by Marsha Dean – 2024-10-05
The property, located on Fir Tree Road, originally belonged to her parents, who were forcefully removed by the Apartheid government and relocated to flats in Lavender Hill.
In 1994, the family was permitted to return to their home, and since then, Dyason has resided there with her three children and grandchild.
Dyason has faced ongoing issues regarding the transfer of the house into her name for the past 14 years.
“When my parents got divorced, they both moved out of the house and went their separate ways. My mother and I then went to the rent office, and we explained that I still live in the house. They said the tenancy would be transferred over to me as I was of age,” she explained.
However, in 2010, Dyason received an eviction order, which threatened to send her back to Lavender Hill. The City offered her a one-bedroom flat in Plumstead, but she refused.
Later, she was taken to court, where the judge ruled that she was not illegal and was indeed eligible for the house, instructing the City to sign a lease with her.
“I signed a lease, but a couple of years later, the house is still not in my name. It’s been 14 years, and until today, nothing has been resolved,” Dyason lamented.
“My water keeps getting cut off, and I have to pay over R3000 just to have it reconnected, which consumes all the SASSA money meant for my children. I am paying R2300 a month for electricity to cover housing debt. Since the lease is not in my name, I cannot sort anything out. Every month, I go to the municipality, and they say the hold-up is with the rent office.”
Desperately, she stated, “I am at my wits’ end and don’t know what to do anymore. I have already lost my job because every month I need to stay out to go to the rent office and submit new papers.”
In response, Councillor Carl Pophaim, the Mayco Member for Human Settlements, stated, “The City can confirm that no eviction application is underway as alleged.
“The tenancy was allocated to Shanaaz Dyason, and she signed a lease agreement with the City on 21 September 2023. We encourage Mrs Dyason to visit her nearest City housing office to complete all the documentation needed to take ownership of the property.”
However, the City claims that the property address matter has been resolved and that the resident should visit her housing office as soon as possible.
For further information
Simon Dippenaar & Associates, Inc. is a law firm of specialist eviction lawyers in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. We help landlords and tenants maintain healthy working relationships. Contact one of our eviction attorneys on 086 099 5146 or simon@sdlaw.co.za if you need help with tenants’ rights or landlords’ responsibilities.
