Parliament, Wednesday, 12 November 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements has urged the Department of Human Settlements to expedite the forensic investigation into ownership of building stock owned by Communicare. The committee received a presentation from the national Department of Human Settlements and the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure on the eviction of elderly people from Communicare properties, which started in 2018.
The committee was categorical that the context of these planned evictions should be established to ensure that there is clarity on whether the Communicare Social Housing provider received funding support from the Social Housing Regulatory Authority. The forensic investigation must also ascertain whether the social housing provider adhered to the prescripts of the law in the management of their properties, which falls under the Social Housing Act.
It is the committee’s view that social housing remains a strategic tool to breaking historical spatial inequalities, fosters inclusive communities. and drives economic development. In this context, the reported evictions are both concerning and potentially reverse the advances made within the sector.
While the committee acknowledges the complexities within the social housing sector, especially the non-payment of rental as per lease agreements, it has called for a measured approach in managing social housing. “We encourage people to always pay their agreed rentals to ensure the effective management of properties, but we are aware that families have lived for a long time in those properties and their current material conditions should be taken into consideration,” said Mr Nocks Seabi, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee also found it unacceptable that a resolution on the matter has not been finalised, despite first being reported in 2018. Also concerning is the fact that the agreed detailed audit of residents has not been conducted to ascertain if some of them are eligible to access to various products offered by the Department of Human Settlements. “It is unacceptable that despite an undertaking that this will be done by 28 May 2024 nothing has been done to date. This shows clear disregard and lack of compassion by stakeholders, including the provincial government, the municipality and Communicare. This process must be undertaken with urgency,” Mr Seabi said.
Meanwhile, the committee has recommended that the evictions be halted until the investigation and the audit have been concluded because of the need to understand the details around the whole matter. The committee welcomed the assurance from the Director-General of the national DHS that he will convene a meeting with the province and the city to find solutions to the stalled audit and halting the evictions.
Despite this, the committee considered it unacceptable that the City of Cape Town was not represented in the meeting, particularly in the context of the challenges facing residents of Communicare social housing projects. The committee will soon invite Communicare to engage with the social housing provider on their perspective on the evictions and the management of their properties.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, MR NOCKS SEABI
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