By Staff Reporter
NKOWANKOWA: In a distressing turn of events, Julia Seleisi finds herself homeless after being forcibly evicted from her home in Dan Extension 2 (RDP) near Nkowankowa. The eviction has left her belongings scattered on the street, with nowhere to go. Adding to her plight, her son, Elia Seleisi, is currently fighting for his life in Letaba Hospital after being brutally beaten by unknown assailants during the eviction.
Julia Seleisi’s tragic situation began over a decade ago when she started renting the house from the girlfriend of the deceased owner. She had been a tenant for approximately 10 to 11 years. The arrangement began after the original owner passed away and his girlfriend, unable to stay in the house, decided to rent it out to Julia.
According to a source close to the situation, Julia consistently paid rent until recently, when municipal officials visited Dan Extension 2 to distribute title deeds. After this visit, Julia stopped paying rent. This change in circumstances led to the girlfriend selling the house. The new owner, in an attempt to take possession, began harassing Julia, ultimately resorting to violence and destruction of property to evict her.
The eviction, which took place yesterday, was marked by aggression. The new owner reportedly broke all the windows and doors of the house, forcibly removing Julia and her belongings. During the chaos, Elia Seleisi was severely beaten by unidentified individuals, resulting in his critical condition.
The incident has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by tenants in informal housing arrangements, especially in the context of RDP (Reconstruction and Development Programme) houses. The lack of clear legal protections and the informal nature of such agreements often leave tenants like Julia at the mercy of new property owners and subject to abrupt and violent evictions.
Local authorities are yet to respond to this specific incident, and it remains unclear what immediate support, if any, will be provided to Julia and her son.
The community has expressed outrage and concern over the violent eviction and the severe beating of Elia, calling for justice and support for the affected family.
