The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Mlungisi Mabaso has warned landlords in informal settlements to stop demanding money for government services that are provided to residents for free.
Mabaso told Daily Sun that the services are provided free of charge to deserving residents.
This warning comes after his department relocated over 300 families who were victims of shack fires in KwaMaiMai, Joburg, in June.
The families were temporarily sheltered at Hofland Park Community Centre.
“The families were relocated to Kaserne Informal Settlement and during the relocation process, it was established that some of the new structures were locked by these “landlords”, who demanded payment from residents before they could occupy the new shacks,” said Mabaso.
He said law enforcement was called in to break the locks and give residents access to the homes.
“We cannot allow illegal activities in our communities. No one can demand payment for government services that are provided free of charge,” he emphasised.
He also said the human settlements department doesn’t recognise these so-called landlords.
“Infact, they’re criminals defrauding desperate residents,” said Mabaso.
He told the People’s Paper that the issue of landlords is prevalent in many informal settlements and other government properties.
“These illegal landlords cannot claim government property as their own. I urge community members to work with the department to report anyone who demands money for government services so that we can clamp down on this lawlessness and victimisation of vulnerable people,” he said.
