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As part of its drive to end fraud and corruption in the selling of RDP homes, the Department of Human Settlements has made a significant breakthrough in arresting a suspected syndicate that is accused of defrauding people for over five years.

An estate agent who owns 2N2 Properties, Miss Maphefo Mangena, 45, is accused of allegedly using various agents employed through her in a R2.5-million fraud case.

Mangena’s syndicate allegedly took people interested in buying property to various developments across Soweto and Kagiso and offered to sell them RDP units, which the government always allocates to beneficiaries for free.

She is currently out on R50 000 bail. The date for her next court appearance is still to be set at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court. A co-accused in the case has unfortunately already passed on.

Alleged victims were defrauded of amounts ranging from R30,000 to R150,000. They were told they were paying money towards the purchase of a house. Deposits go back to 2018.

The department has no business relationship with the suspect, and nor was she ever employed by the department. The department does not work with estate agents, nor does it sell properties on behalf of owners. Furthermore, RDP houses are never sold by government.

RDP units and false promises around them have become a hunting ground for unscrupulous con artists, particularly during the construction phase of units or during their completion phase.

Fake social media posts encouraging people to pay money to secure houses are also known to do the rounds and we encourage the public to remain vigilant.

The Department thanks Warrant Officer Xolo Ntshosho, who is stationed at the Protea Police Station, for making this breakthrough. It has been inundated with walk-in inquiries from vulnerable citizens who have evidently been defrauded by syndicates staffed by people pretending to be employees of the Department of Human Settlements.

Human Settlements Executive Director Patrick Phophi was overjoyed at the arrest.

“This arrest is an indication that no one is above the law and that law enforcement agencies are not sleeping on the job. We urge the public to refrain from depositing any money to strangers posing as officials of the Department of Human Settlements,” said Phophi.

In February last year, three suspects were arrested in Limpopo for allegedly selling RDPs under the pretence that they were working with the MMC of the department. They are currently out on R5,000 bail.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg Cllr Anthea Leitch also welcomed the news.

“I trust that the department and the police have collected enough evidence to prosecute this case successfully as we need to send a strong message that we have had enough of opportunistic crimes like these. The waiting list for RDP units is long, and it breaks my heart to see some of our most vulnerable people being taken advantage of like this,” said Cllr Leitch.

Any individuals, particularly compromised estate agents, who are allegedly involved in these crimes should know that law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate and further arrests are imminent.

The department further reminds residents that RDP houses or stands, and all other services of the department are provided free of charge and must be wary of imposters and fraudsters who pose as City officials on various social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting and desperate people.

Issued by the Department of Human Settlements