By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

23 January 2025- The North West MEC for Corporative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has welcomed new members of the North West Rental Housing Tribunal at a ceremony in Mahikeng recently. The appointment follows the end of the three year term for the previous members who served from 2021.

Molapisi said the Rental Housing Tribunal is established in terms of the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999, and is responsible for resolving complex rental issues across the North West and also facilitate conflict resolution, as well as establishing sound relations between tenants and landlords in the rental sector. He further congratulated the members and wished them well in their new responsibilities.

“Our department will utilise their expertise in resolving conflicting issues between landlords and tenants and avoid any unfair practices within the rental sector and many others. We also encourage the members to work as a team and called on the members to work across the clock as conflicts happen from time to time.

“We urge the members to avoid unnecessary postponement of cases due to the cost containment that the department is faced with. However, we assure them that they will have departmental support and that I have confidence in them in handling challenges that they will be confronted with during their three year term,” said Molapisi said.

He added that, the new members will be led by Kagiso Mike Khaoue as Chairperson. Molapisi said Khaoue assured him and the department that, they will strive to ensure they deliver as per their mandate, as well as to comply with all the prescripts of the law.

Khauoe said: “The Tribunal sets out guidelines to be followed when parties enter into a rental agreement. The body is again tasked to promote stability in the rental housing sector by resolving disputes that may arise from time to time.

“Issues such as house rules set out by landlords, receipts for rental payments, services cut-offs’ without a court order, withholding of tenants possessions, overcrowding and subletting, exploitative rents, service charges and damage to property are general conflicts that cause disputes between the landlords and tenants. Such challenges are mostly resolved through the Rental Housing Tribunal.”

Meanwhile, other members of the Tribunal include Advocate Matshidiso Mogale as Deputy Chairperson, Goitsemodimo Seleka, Bafedile Shuping and Attorney Tlotlo Kegakilwe.

taungdailynews@gmail.com