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The Estate Agency Affairs Board will launch an investigation into a complaint involving a Cape Town real estate company that allegedly allowed a landlord to decline a rental applicant because of his race.

According to media reports last week, a Mr Pol Osei, took to various social media platforms and posted a WhatsApp conversation where the estate agent explained to him that he was refused accommodation based on his race.

The EAAB can confirm that Mr Osei has registered a complaint via the EAAB online service on 21 October 2021 at 18:58pm and had received an automated response acknowledging his complaint. An investigator from the EAAB head office in Johannesburg will be dispatched to Cape Town to coordinate the investigation.

EAAB CEO Mamodupi Mohlahla said discrimination in any form was unacceptable and it was time to clamp down on rental racism in the property sector.

“From the details publicised in the media, both the owner of the property and the authorised agency are bordering on criminality by knowingly leasing apartments to whites only. South African law is clear that discriminating against anyone on the grounds of race, religion and gender, among others, is strictly prohibited,” said Mohlahla.

“We take very seriously this complaint and will conduct a thorough investigation into not only the agency and the agent but also to ascertain the extent of rental racism in the province. We will pursue this matter to the fullest extent of the law to ensure that the property sector understands that such practices will not be tolerated.”

Issued by The Estate Agency Affairs Board