By Anees Teladia

District Six land claimants have been reassured that homes and land that form part of the restitutive process of the historical area cannot be sold. There’s been shock and anger after a property listing surfaced a few days ago, showing that a District Six restitution home – that was yet to be constructed – was for sale. The home in question forms part of phase three of the restitution project, which is moving at a snail’s pace due to numerous delays. Last year, the contract with the Durban-based Fikile Construction was terminated and a new company has since been appointed to continue the project.

Zubeida Samsodien of the District Six Reference Group has indicated that the situation is under control and that it has disturbingly been blown out of proportion.

“This has been blown terribly out of proportion, putting people on an emotional rollercoaster,” said Samsodien.

“That land is restitution land and the homes are restitution homes. They cannot, and will not, be sold off. I assure you.”

“We spoke to the agent and he was just as shocked. It was simply a case of an overambitious claimant wanting to see what she could get out of it.”

Samsodien added that the Land Claims Commission has been alerted to the matter.

Secretary of the District Six Residents Association, Asa Salie has suggested that the real estate agent responsible for advertising the property concerned possibly made an “honest mistake”.

“I don’t know the agent, but I could assess that he’s been had and conned into this…She [the claimant trying to sell the property that has yet to be developed] showed him several [legitimate] documents.”

“Maybe it was an honest mistake,” said Salie.

However, chairperson of the District Six Working Committee, Shahied Ajam is clearly alarmed by this incident.

“We must become aware of what is happening to our land,” urged Ajam.

“People who do not belong there, are living in District Six. People are continuously trying to sell off flats.”

“This has gone out of control and it must be stopped once and for all.”

RE/MAX In Motion has since apologised for the incident and has confirmed the removal of the property concerned from all of their marketing platforms.

“I can confirm that the claimant has no contractual right to be placing the property on the market. In saying so, one has to be a registered owner before giving any estate agent an authority to sell. Secondly if there are any conditions in the title deed going forward then one has to act in accordance herewith. We have thus removed the property from all our marketing platforms.” said broker and owner Adiel Isaacs.

“Let me take the opportunity to apologize to all concerned.”

VOC