Minister Simmers conducts impromptu visit at Highbury Development where alleged illegal sales of homes are occurring

Today, Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers conducted an impromptu visit to the Highbury Park Housing Project in Kuilsriver, after numerous social media posts and reports indicated that the illegal sale of fully State subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) homes were allegedly occurring.

Section 10A(1) of the Housing Act 107 of 1997 clearly states that a “person shall not sell or otherwise alienate his or her dwelling or site within a period of eight years from the date on which the property was acquired by that person unless the dwelling or site has first been offered to the relevant provincial housing department.”

Minister Simmers said: “I visited 3 homes and unfortunately found that each of these BNG units have been illegally sold and now have new occupants. None of the original beneficiaries contacted or informed my department of their intentions, nor did they, as the Act states first offer the house back to us as required by the Act.”

Minister Simmers also engaged with the current occupiers and informed them of the position in law and given that these individuals have paid certain amounts for these homes, they’d have to engage the sellers about refunding them. They may need to also consider reporting the matters to SAPS for further investigation.

Minister Simmers added: “I cannot allow individuals to defraud the State in this manner. There are currently 568 000 people registered on the Western Cape Housing Demand Database (WCHDD) who are waiting to be assisted by the State. The unlawful actions of these individuals smacks in the faces of those who are still waiting.”

Minister Simmers will be engaging provincial Legal Services in due course to obtain advice on possible criminal charges against those who abuse the state housing schemes for their own enrichment.

Source: Government of South Africa