An illegal occupant has left the home of claimant, Tahir Levy in District Six, uninhabitable after three years of occupying the home. Rightful claimant, Levy along with officials from the Regional Lands Claims Commissioner visited the home on Friday to inspect the damages.

During the inspection, clear indications of malicious damage to the property could be seen. Levy told VOC News that when he had visited the illegal occupant, Ms Jacobs, she had already taken residence inside the house for over 48 hours. Levy then contacted the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, who then successfully pursued legal intervention in an attempt to evict the illegal occupants.

The legal occupation of re-developed homes in D6 has become a problem for the department. The ministry’s Vuyani Nkasayi says that some claimants on the waiting list occupy the homes intended for other families first in line. Ms Jacobs has in fact lodged her claim but is still waiting for her home in D6.

However, Nkasayi says situations of this nature is somewhat disappointing as the department is trying to restore the dignity of D6.

“When this type of damage is done, its a clear act of  Its disrespect to the rightful claimant, the community and a direct disregard for the law. It has to be condemned,” Nkasayi explained.

Nkasayi could not estimate the amount of money it would cost the department to restore the damages.

“We can not run to court every time there is a illegal occupant. What we are doing now is trying to engage with claimants and the community forum on a regular basis. So that we try and deal with cases of impatient claimants directly. There is a committee that the Minister Gugile Nkwinti has instated to deal with social issues and concerns of D6 claimants,” Nkasayi continued.

In addition to this, neighbours next door to the home in question spoke to VOC anonymously and told of their constant problems with Ms Jacobs and her family who had taken up residents illegally. According to the neighbours, the family had been disruptive, disrespectful and irresponsible. They added that now that the family had been ordered to leave, the peace had been restored to their quiet community.

Levy, a much loved and highly regarded member of the D6 community says he is relieved that the occupants were out but will now wait for his home to be renovated as it is in a bad state. Eighty-year old Levy says he is still undecided on whether he will be moving back to the community he had been forcibly removed from any time soon. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)