By Tasneem Motara
Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements
As the festive season approaches, we again emphasize: DO NOT fall for offers of “ready houses”, “cheap land”, or “jump-the-queue” deals, these are scams.
Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara urges residents to be alert and vigilant especially at this time of the year.
“Your rightful place in the housing system is protected when you are properly registered, when your details are kept updated, and when you refuse anyone who offers you a “shortcut” for
money.
Illegal acts benefit only those who exploit people’s hope; lawful processes benefit families for generations. Please remain safe from scams during this festive season,” said MEC Motara.
What you need to know
•Scammers are impersonating GDHuS officials, contacting people on social media or via phone, claiming they can sell or allocate subsidised houses, including Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) or BNG homes in exchange for money.
•The Department does not charge any fee for processing housing applications, offering land, or allocating RDP houses.
•Offers to “jump the waiting list,” get housing “faster,” or “buy land from the Department” are fraudulent.
Illegal land/house occupation is NOT the solution
•Land invasions and unauthorized occupation of vacant stands or incomplete houses complicate the Department’s ability to plan, allocate services, and deliver houses fairly
and deepen the backlog.
•Criminal syndicates behind fake “land-sales” or “house allocation” notices will face legal consequences.
•If you occupy yourself illegally, you risk eviction and being criminally charged.
What you should do
•If you wish to check your status on the housing waiting list or for any official GDHuS service, go only through official channels: visit your local GDHuS regional office or municipal human settlement offices.
•If you see any suspicious posts, adverts, fake notices, or are approached by people offering to “fast-track” housing in exchange for money, report them immediately.
Call the Gauteng Provincial Government hotline on 0800 701 701) or your local police station.
•Stay vigilant. Do not share your identity number, bank details, or pay any deposit or fee to unverified individuals claiming to represent GDHuS.
We are aware of the long waiting list: thousands of families have applied for subsidised housing over many years.
The backlog is real and cannot be resolved overnight.
To everyone awaiting housing: we see you. We hear you. We remain committed to delivering, when the allocations become available, we will get to you too. Your patience matters.
We urge all Gauteng residents; family, friends, neighbours to share this message widely.
Let’s protect vulnerable community members from criminal syndicates, fake “good deals,” and false hope.
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