Family Up in Arms Against KwaZulu-Natal Municipality for Demolishing House Without Court Order

SIHLE MAVUSO|January 31, 2025

DEMOLISHED: The Red Ants demolished illegal houses in Alexandra on behalf of the City of Johannesburg. The eDumbe Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal did the same to the house of the late Xolani Thikazi. (Photo: The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa).

The eDumbe Local Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal is embroiled in a dispute with a family demanding accountability after their late relative’s house was allegedly demolished without a court order.

The NFP-ANC-run municipality reportedly tore down the home of Xolani Thikazi, which was situated in Mangosuthu township near eDumbe. The house, built several years ago, had been occupied by Thikazi and his family until his passing.

According to Thikazi’s brother, Nkululeko Mkhonza, the situation was worsened by the fact that after Thikazi’s death, the family sold the house to another family, which was yet to occupy it.

The proceeds from the sale were used to perform traditional rituals in honour of the deceased.

“My brother’s house has just been sold to another family and the municipality came to demolish it. Since then we have been seeking answers from the planning department and they are arrogant and avoid us.

“They didn’t even issue a notice, they came and demolished the house with goods inside. Our biggest worry is that the people who bought the house will think we conned,” he added.

Mkhonza further claimed that when they approached eDumbe Mayor Sibusiso Mkhabela, he initially seemed sympathetic but later refused to meet with them.

“Even the Mayor is now avoiding us, we are frustrated and we don’t know what to do,” Thikazi told the African Times.

eDumbe Municipal Manager Mzo Khanyile defended the demolition, stating that the family had been warned not to build on the land, which belongs to the municipality. He also claimed the house was constructed under a power line, which is illegal and poses a safety risk.

“It’s not all structures that require a court order before they are demolished. Some structures can be demolished by simply contacting the builder as stipulated in by laws,” Khanyile said.