A woman has gone viral on TikTok after sharing her long-running struggle to reclaim her family’s home In, Johannesburg SA, from occupants who allegedly stopped paying rent five years ago.
In a video posted by user @azier_ongie, the woman documents a heated confrontation with individuals she claims have been illegally occupying a house owned by her mother. Despite presenting a title deed, the tenants have reportedly refused to vacate the property since 2020.
The emotional footage, which has attracted over 200,000 views and thousands of comments, shows her standing outside the residence pleading for her family’s rights to be respected.
“They haven’t paid rent in years, and they still won’t leave—even with proof of ownership,” she explains in the video.
Why Is Eviction So Difficult in South Africa?
Evicting unlawful occupants in South Africa is a challenging and often frustrating legal process. The Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE Act) is designed to protect vulnerable individuals from being evicted unfairly. However, many landlords argue that the law heavily favors occupants—even those who fail to pay rent.
According to the Landlord Association, property owners must follow a formal legal process which includes:
- Serving notice through the court.
- Giving occupants a chance to oppose the eviction.
- Obtaining a court-issued eviction order.
- Enforcing the order through a sheriff.
This often results in long delays, even in cases where rent has not been paid for years.
