Cape Town Mayor Says Criminals Will Be Evicted From Rental Units

Cape Town, South Africa Mayor Patricia de Lille says that no one can live in government rental units who is involved in criminal activity. An investigation is currently underway., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

De Lille: Criminals will be evicted from rental units

The City of Cape Town has threatened to evict anyone caught using council rental units for criminal activities.
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28 Oct 2012 13:40 - Sapa

"The city has identified approximately 350 council rental units where current occupants are allegedly involved in illegal activities," Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said in a statement on Sunday.

"Where occupants are found to use council properties to pursue criminal dealings, appropriate action will be taken to ensure that the culprits face the full might of the law," she said.

De Lille said the gang and drug unit would intensify its operations in all council rental units.

She said council properties could not become "havens" for illegal activities when more than 350 000 people wanted access to housing in Cape Town.

"Any occupant who conducts criminal activities on council property does not deserve to occupy one," she said.

"While we are determined to meet their housing needs, we will not tolerate any criminal elements in council rental units."

De Lille said she saw first-hand in operations in Kewtown and Hanover Park the extent to which illegal activities were conducted in the units.

The city had already issued 14 notices of lease termination to tenants who had contravened their lease agreements. The notices had been served for various violations, including selling drugs and sub-letting.

The occupants had a month to vacate the units before further eviction steps were taken.

"We will follow all legal channels to ensure that those who use council rental units for criminal activities make way for law abiding citizens who are in need of housing opportunities," she said.

De Lille said the city's housing safety unit conduct regular operations and also relied on tip-offs. – Sapa.