Amos Madoda, a frustrated property owner from Etwatwa, has found himself entangled in a complex and distressing situation after discovering that his tenants, who had been renting his garage, had fraudulently obtained his personal credentials. According to Madoda, the tenants gained access to his zoning certificate and property plan with the help of an employee from the Ekurhuleni Municipality. The landlord is particularly disturbed by the fact that his tenants, whom he trusted, had not only misrepresented themselves but had also claimed they were in the process of purchasing his property, a lie that has now sparked tensions within his family.
Madoda revealed that the tenants had manipulated the situation by convincing others, including his own family, that he was selling the property. “My family now thinks I went behind their backs to sell our home to my tenants. There’s nothing like that. They lied, saying I work as a truck driver and am always away, when in fact, I sleep at my house every day,” said Madoda, who works as a taxi driver for the Springs Taxi Association. This deception has left him deeply upset and fearful that his tenants could be plotting to unlawfully acquire his property.
The situation took a more alarming turn when one of his tenants approached him requesting the title deed to register a spaza shop at the municipality. The tenant revealed that they had obtained the necessary zoning certificate and property plan, documents which Madoda had never given them permission to use. Alarmed, Madoda pressed for answers and was told that an official at the Ekurhuleni Municipality had provided these documents in exchange for a bribe. This revelation has left Madoda convinced that he is not the only one potentially being targeted in this way and has raised questions about the involvement of corrupt municipal officials.
In response to the alarming discovery, Madoda ordered the tenants to vacate his property. However, he remains concerned that they may still possess sensitive information about his property and are likely to continue with their fraudulent plans. “I don’t trust them anymore,” he said, expressing his growing sense of unease about what their next move could be. Despite his concerns, when he approached Etwatwa Police Station to open a fraud case, he was reportedly met with resistance, as the police refused to assist him, further compounding his frustration.
Captain Nelda Sekgobela, spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni District Police, advised Madoda to escalate his complaint to the Etwatwa Station Commander for further assistance. This recommendation highlights the complexities and potential bureaucratic hurdles that Madoda continues to face in his pursuit of justice. Meanwhile, Zweli Dlamini, a spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Municipality, assured that the matter would be investigated. However, for Madoda, this promises to be a lengthy and uncertain battle, one that leaves him grappling with the possibility of corruption and deceit at multiple levels.
The case underscores a disturbing pattern of property fraud, with tenants taking advantage of municipal officials and vulnerable landlords. Madoda’s story is a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal and property information and the role of local authorities in ensuring transparency and accountability. As the investigation unfolds, both Madoda and the community will be watching closely to see if justice is served and whether the responsible officials are held to account.
