Infrastructure

My Department would have provided support to the relevant tenants if they had made application to the Provincial Rental Housing Tribunal (RHT) for assistance. The service provided by the RHT is free of charge to landlords and tenants in the Western Cape. The RHT helps to settle any disagreements or complaints between parties. The RHT works to create good relationships between landlords and tenants, educate parties about their rights, and settle any disagreements relating to rental properties and leases. However, if the matter has ended up in Court, in terms of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (“PIE Act”), with Communicare seeking an eviction order, there is no legislation or legal provision, that empowers my Department, or any other sphere of government, to overturn an order of the Court. Any conduct that is contrary to the ruling of the Court would be tantamount to contempt of court. The Social Housing Act (Act 16 of 2008), states that a provincial government may not interfere with the governance, or management, of social housing institutions. My Department thus does not have the power within law to dictate the property management practices of a private landlord, company or social housing institution. Furthermore, the obligation to provide alternative accommodation clearly rests with Local Government.