A 60-year-old pensioner from the Sol Plaatjie informal settlement in Roodepoort claims she has been waiting nearly 17 years to occupy her government-allocated RDP house, only to find it illegally occupied—along with 50 other homes in the area.
Bridget says she received official paperwork in 2008 confirming her allocation in a new housing project. Yet, nearly two decades later, she remains trapped in a shack while another family lives in the home meant for her.
A Vicious Cycle of Occupations
The woman currently occupying Bridget’s RDP house admits she knows the home isn’t hers but says she cannot move out because her own allocated house is also occupied by someone else.
“I can’t leave Bridget’s house until the government moves the people living in mine,” the occupant explained.
This cycle of illegal occupations has sparked conflict among residents, with many accusing authorities of failing to intervene.
Authorities Accused of Inaction
Bridget claims the Department of Human Settlements has sent her “from pillar to post” without resolution. Meanwhile, local ward committee members say the issue has been ongoing for years, with no government action to correct wrongful allocations or evict illegal occupants.
“I feel heartbroken every day,” Bridget said. “I pass by this house, knowing it should be mine, yet I still live in a shack. I’ve sent my children away because our informal settlement isn’t safe—there’s illegal mining, and I fear for our lives.”
A Wider Housing Crisis
The situation highlights a broader housing crisis in the area, where:
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Some residents allegedly hold multiple RDP houses,
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Others are stuck in overcrowded informal settlements,
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And many, like Bridget, wait indefinitely while their allocated homes remain occupied.
It was confirmed that the current occupant of Bridget’s house refuses to leave, fearing homelessness if she vacates without government assistance.
Calls for Government Intervention
Community leaders are demanding urgent intervention from Human Settlements officials to:
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Audit RDP allocations and remove illegal occupants,
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Provide alternative housing for those wrongfully displaced,
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Speed up delivery of promised homes to prevent further conflicts.
As Bridget’s 17-year struggle continues, many wonder how many more years she—and others like her—will have to wait before finally stepping into the homes they were promised.
The Department of Human Settlements has yet to respond to requests for comment.