Pretoria - Human Settlements Minister Connie September has condemned the alleged discriminatory practice by a Bloemfontein landlord, who placed a newspaper advertisement targeting “non-affirmative action” female students.
“I am happy to announce that I have fully agreed to offer our assistance, advice and support in rooting out discriminatory tendencies in the rental housing space.
“Government will continue to make use of the various pieces of legislation that are in place to guard against and protect citizens from any level of discrimination in the housing delivery chain and the real estate sector,” September said.
The landlord’s advertisement, which appeared in a local newspaper, has also prompted, University of Free State rector Professor Jonathan Jansen to complain to the South African Human Rights Commission.
September said government would not tolerate discriminatory practices 20 years into the country’s democracy.
“I have informed the MEC for Human Settlements in Free State, who is entrusted with the responsibility to oversee the Rental Housing Tribunal establishment and practices within the provincial government, and requested her to assist with the lodging of the complaint.
“Without pre-empting the outcome of the case, it is about time that government takes decisive steps to end practices of discrimination in rental housing,” September said.
She urged South Africans to be vigilant against any form of discriminatory practices.
“We are calling on members of the public to exercise their democratic right by lodging complaints of any kind of discrimination in the real estate sector to the nearest provincial Rental Housing Tribunal...
“Our Rental Housing Tribunals have achieved success throughout the country, resolving many issues related to rental housing. The Rental Housing Tribunal services are free and they have a footprint in all provinces,” said September. - SAnews.gov.za
