Soweto housing fraud case postponed for seventh time as alleged victims wait
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The case against a Johannesburg housing official accused of fraudulently selling the homes of vulnerable families was postponed for a seventh time on Tuesday, with about 18 alleged victims attending the Lenasia Magistrates' Court.
The case involving a Johannesburg housing official accused of fraudulently selling homes was postponed for a seventh time on Tuesday, when Cynthia Ntshangase made a brief appearance at the Lenasia Magistrates' Court. The matter was adjourned to 30 November.
Ntshangase, a receptionist at the Pimville housing office in Soweto, is accused of fraudulently selling the homes of vulnerable families. The case arises from a probe launched in December 2019 by the Gauteng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, into the alleged unlawful sale of RDP and private houses in Johannesburg.
The state alleges that officials targeted elderly residents, bereaved families or families in dispute, and that wills were fabricated and title deeds altered to enable the fraudulent sale and transfer of properties. Ntshangase, who remains employed and is still to plead, was one of two municipal officials initially charged with fraud and corruption and first appeared in court on 20 August 2025. The other accused has since died.
Earlier postponements in December 2025, February and April 2026 concerned the death certificate of the co-accused. On 11 June the case was postponed for the accused's lawyer to consult with the client, on 13 July the docket had not been brought to court, and on 27 August the lawyer asked for time to request further particulars of the charges. Magistrate Syfred Mati granted Tuesday's postponement to allow the defence time to go through lengthy documents submitted by the state.
About 18 alleged victims attended court, supported by Lerato Qoza of Khuluma Mphakathi, a collective that supports victims of alleged municipal corruption in Pimville. Qoza said the victims would not be swayed by the number of postponements but that “justice delayed is justice denied.” Nomahlubi Jalisa, who says she was also scammed, said some victims have died since the case started and that buyers can afford to defend their ownership in court while victims cannot afford the legal costs to reclaim their homes.
The City of Johannesburg's human settlements department has previously pledged to “implement consequence management if any misconduct is confirmed” and said affected families should allow the formal investigation and legal processes to unfold.