Eviction notice served to land claim recipient just days before Christmas

Five months after 83-year-old Juanita Solomon finally received the title deed for 16 plots (6.5 acres) dispossessed from their family under the Group Areas Act, she is facing another battle after being served with an eviction notice relating to the property she leases from the City, just days before Christmas.

The land, once farmland in Retreat, belonged to a white farmer, and during the Group Areas Act, he was forced to vacate it, leaving Solomon behind to care for it, the family told the Cape Argus who visited the property, which also home to a beautiful vlei.

Since then, more than fifty years later, Solomon is a leasing tenant of the City on the land.

The City argues that Solomon and occupants (her daughter and granddaughter) who are now locked in a court matter, breached the lease agreement and non-payment of rent, etc.

Last week, while still reeling with joy after receiving the title deed of the land belonging to her father, Solomon was issued with an eviction notice.

The 44-year land claim’s joy was quickly overshadowed by thousands of unexpected property rates, which should have been exempted under land reform.

Following an inquiry, City of Cape Town Councillor Siseko Mbandezi confirmed the rates would be reversed, stating land reform beneficiaries are 100% exempt from property rates for ten years from the registration date ( August 13, 2025). The City will issue an updated statement.

Eleven years ago, an administrative bungling took the land back just one day after it was handed over by the then-mayor.

The land, purchased by her father, Isaac Solomon, when Solomon was an infant, was where the family farmed before being removed from 11th Avenue and Leytonstone Road, Retreat.

“I have been living here fifty years; when the owner, Mr Beukes, moved out, I moved in,” she said explaining her lease.

“We were neighbours, and I had always been interested in purchasing the property. When he moved out to Plumstead due to the Group Areas Act, he said I must look after the land.

"It was bitter to have received the eviction notice, but my God is in control. All the years I have been looking after the property and maintaining it. My family were removed from our father’s land, then we were expected to pay rent here.”

Alfonso Solomon, Solomon’s grandson, whom she raised, said the family faces a stressful Christmas period. “It is council property; she has been living here since she had to move from her father’s land,” he said.

“The farmer recommended to the city back then that my grandmother should move here, as it became council property after the farmer moved.

"Now at Christmas, they have served her with an eviction notice that they want her off the land.” She said relating to her father’s land, she is to develop her own home while being a pensioner and is not in a position to do so. 

The City’s Spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, said the matter is now part of a court process.

“The City can confirm that legal proceedings are currently under way to obtain vacant possession of the property located at 85 Consort Road, Retreat,” he explained. “An eviction notice was served on all occupants of the property. The action follows a range of breaches of the lease agreement. These include the property being in a state of disrepair, non-payment of rent, unlawful subletting, and the erection of unauthorised structures on City-owned land.

“The City’s approach is guided by its legal obligations to manage public land responsibly and ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. As the matter is currently before the courts, the City is unable to comment further at this stage.”

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