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Answers to your questions

Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.

Can I buy a plot of land from the municipality?

As far as we can establish, municipal land is only sold by a tender process after it is advertised for public participation.

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Can I apply for an affordable flat in the new building in Sea Point?

The block of flats (which will be called “The Fulcrum”) has not yet been built.

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Can my sister, who waited ten years for a house, be rejected from getting one because she has since got married?

Marriage does not disqualify her from getting an RDP house, unless her husband’s income is above R3,500 a month.

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What can I do to stop my former landlord giving bad references about me to agents?

You can approach the Housing Tribunal and ask that your former landlord be stopped from giving bad references.

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Home Affairs told me that asylum seekers cannot apply for permanent residence. Doesn't this contradict a Constitutional Court ruling?

Asylum seekers (i.e. people who do not hold refugee status) may apply for a residence permit.

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Home Affairs declared my husband an undesirable person for five years because he overstayed his visit. Can this be overturned?

Your husband can appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs.

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How do I get Home Affairs to give me my birth certificate?

Home Affairs says that the waiting period for an unabridged birth certificate is three to eight weeks, but many people have complained of delays of many months.

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Police officers arrested my friend for filming them assault someone. Are they allowed to do that?

It is entirely legal to film police arresting – or assaulting – someone.

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How do I go about getting permission to use the curb in front of my house as part of my driveway?

In Cape Town, you can contact the department at 080 065 6463 and they can direct you further.

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My father secured a loan with our house and it got repossessed. What can we do to stop the bank evicting us?

Before giving an eviction order a court must balance your interests against the bank’s, and decide if selling the house is the best option, or if alternatives can be found to settle the debt.

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