More than 100 families face eviction at the Steen Villa social housing complex in Steenberg over their failure to pay rent.

A Cape Argus report notes that the Social Housing Company (Sohco), which developed, and owns the complex, got a High Court order to evict the defaulting tenants in the rent-to-own scheme which has been plagued with issues of rental arrears.

CEO of Sohco Heather Maxwell said after the High Court granted the group an eviction order in December 2020, it began by removing 11 families from the property this week.

‘The initial court application for these evictions was made in mid-2019, and the households affected by the evictions on Tuesday morning were already in significant arrears at that point,’ she said.

However, residents who are on the group’s list for evictions, said yesterday it was the only warning they had that they would soon be homeless.

Resident Phumza Sidingama said that from the group facing eviction, several were still fighting with the city after it allegedly went back on its word to relocate them to a temporary site.

‘We are going to hold them accountable for their actions. We are heading back to the same court they lied to and they will explain to the court their reasons for dishonesty,’ Sidingama said.

Meanwhile, the city said it would maintain its position, having offered assistance to the residents.

Full Cape Argus report (subscription needed)