Belhar family says housing complex was vacant & vandalised before their illegal occupation

CAPE TOWN – A Belhar family who illegally occupied one of nine houses at a housing complex in the area, says the structures were vandalised and left vacant for almost three years before they moved in.

The city is now seeking to evict the nine families who have been living at the Pentech housing development since May 2021.

With judgment on the city's eviction application now reserved, the families are refusing to move, even though they have been offered alternative accommodation.

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Bradley Jacobs, who occupies one of the houses with his family, said when they moved in three years ago, the houses were skeleton structures.

"There was nothing. No taps, electrical cables, no doors, no windows. When we moved in, we had to barricade the windows."

However, Mayco member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, said even though the houses were vandalised and vacant, the occupants cannot be elevated above other beneficiaries on the housing list.

"Almost all units have already been completed and lawfully occupied by the rightful beneficiaries. This is just one example of the impact of unlawful occupation. It robs the rightful beneficiaries who work within the law for the opportunities over many years."

The city has offered the families accommodation in Elsies River, but Isaacs said the desired outcome would be to continue living at the complex.