27 August 2026
Victims of an alleged scam at the Pimville housing office outside the Lenasia Magistrates’ Court in Soweto on Thursday where a housing office employee appeared on fraud and corruption charges. Photo: Seth Thorne
A Johannesburg housing official accused of fraudulently selling people’s homes had her case postponed for a third time on Thursday. Cynthia Ntshangase, a receptionist at the Pimville housing office in Soweto, faces charges of fraud and corruption. She is accused of fraudulently selling the homes of vulnerable families.
This follows 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.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed in court that investigations have now been completed.
Ntshangase was one of two municipal officials initially charged, who first appeared in court on 20 August 2025. However, the other accused has since died.
There have been six postponements – December 2025, February 2026 and 15 April, all revolving around the death certificate of one of the accused.
Then Ntshangase’s appearances on 11 June and 13 July were both postponed. In June it was at the defense’s request for further consultation. In July, the docket had not been brought to the court.
On Thursday, Magistrate Syfred Mati granted another postponement, until 27 October, at the request of the defense to “apply for further particulars” in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The hearing was attended by 17 victims of the alleged scam. They were supported by Lerato Qoza of Khuluma Mphakathi, a collective that supports victims of alleged municipal corruption in Pimville.
Outside court, the group gathered and chanted “We need our houses”.
Qoza, who says she was also scammed, said they were frustrated by the housing department’s inaction. She said Ntshangase should have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigations.
“They can postpone as much as they like, but the victims will have justice,” she said.
Boniswa Banjathwa, who says she was scammed, told GroundUp that they “will never get tired of fighting for what is ours”.
“We are strong. We won’t go away,” she said.
The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Human Settlements previously said it took fraud, corruption and illegal property transactions seriously, and pledged to “implement consequence management if any misconduct is confirmed”.
It said affected families should allow the formal investigation and legal processes to unfold.
