Pimville case stalls again as 17 victims demand answers
A Johannesburg housing official accused of fraudulently selling people’s homes had her matter postponed for a third time in 2026 when it came before the Lenasia Magistrates’ Court on 27 August. The accused, Cynthia Ntshangase, a receptionist at the Pimville housing office in Soweto, faces charges of fraud and corruption in relation to the alleged unlawful sale of RDP and private houses.
The investigation into the alleged scheme was opened by the Gauteng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) in December 2019, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed in court. According to the NPA, the probe has now been completed, but the criminal proceedings have been repeatedly delayed.
- 17 victims attended the 27 August hearing to follow the case.
- Support came from Khuluma Mphakathi, a collective aiding alleged municipal corruption victims in Pimville.
- The case has seen multiple postponements tied to evidentiary and procedural matters.
Outside court, victims chanted “We need our houses” as they pressured authorities for a resolution. Lerato Qoza of Khuluma Mphakathi, who says she was scammed herself, criticised the housing department for failing to suspend the accused pending the outcome of investigations. Qoza said the delays had compounded victims’ frustration.
“They can postpone as much as they like, but the victims will have justice.”
Ntshangase was one of two municipal officials first charged; the other person has since died. The matter has been postponed six times in total, according to court records and reporting from the hearing. Magistrate Syfred Mati granted the latest postponement after the defence applied for further particulars in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. The next court appearance is set for 27 October 2026.
Delays traced to documents and defence requests
Court proceedings in this matter have been repeatedly interrupted by a handful of procedural issues, several of which involved the death of the other accused and the availability of the case docket. Defence counsel sought additional particulars at the 27 August hearing, prompting another adjournment.
| Date | Reason for postponement (as reported) |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | Postponed (details reported as revolving around death certificate issues) |
| February 2026 | Postponed (death certificate matters) |
| 15 April 2026 | Postponed (death certificate still an issue) |
| 11 June 2026 | Postponed at defence request for consultation |
| 13 July 2026 | Postponed because the docket was not brought to court |
| 27 August 2026 | Postponed; defence applied for further particulars — next appearance 27 October 2026 |
The repeated delays have prompted calls from victims and community activists for stronger action by the municipality and prosecuting authorities to protect vulnerable homeowners. Boniswa Banjathwa, who identified herself as a victim, said they will continue to pursue the matter until there is closure.
The allegations touch on two sensitive areas for residents: the security of tenure for households in affordable-housing stock and the transparency of municipal housing processes. For affected families, an outcome in court is not merely symbolic — it is tied to the practical prospect of regaining or securing their homes and restoring access to municipal services linked to lawful occupancy.
Local residents said they wanted clearer communication from the housing department about measures taken to prevent repeat incidents, including whether staff implicated in allegations are suspended while investigations continue. Khuluma Mphakathi has called for victims to be kept informed and for authorities to speed up prosecution where evidence permits.
With the NPA saying the investigation phase has concluded, attention now turns to prosecution and the court timetable. The next appearance on 27 October 2026 will be another test of how rapidly the justice system can move to resolve a long-running complaint that has left Soweto residents waiting for answers.
