FIGHTING ON

A Mahalapye man, Mandla Phatshwane, who has been sleeping with one eye open, fearing he could soon be thrown out of his home, has decided to stop living in fear and fight for his property in court.The former government employee has launched legal proceedings to challenge the sale of his four-bedroom house, arguing that proper procedures were not followed when it was auctioned.Phatshwane says his home was valued at around P500 000 but was eventually sold for only P70 000 after he defaulted on a P300 000 loan from Standard Chartered Bank secured in 2017.He told The Midweek Sun that the bank has since informed him that the outstanding debt has ballooned to more than P800 000 and, as is standard banking practice, the mortgaged property was eventually put up for sale to recover the debt.However, what has left Phatshwane devastated is the price at which he says the property was sold.He alleges that the house was transferred to one Peter Ramosweu for P70 000, an amount he believes bears no resemblance to its market value."It gives me sleepless nights. How does a house valued at around P500 000 get sold for only P70 000?" he asked.His nightmare came alive when Ramosweu allegedly arrived at his home earlier this year, informing him that he was now the lawful owner and instructing him to vacate the property by the end of April 2026.But instead of leaving, Phatshwane has launched legal proceedings challenging the process that led to the sale."I have decided to fight back. The matter is now before court because I believe the proper legal procedures were not followed when they auctioned my house," he said.In court papers Phatshwane argues that the execution creditor failed to prepare a notice of sale properly describing the property as required by law.He contends that the property was not advertised in at least two newspapers and the Government Gazette as required and says he has never been furnished with a report of sale or the relevant notices relating to the auction.But while Phatshwane is challenging the sale, Ramosweu has served him with an eviction order, arguing that he bought the property in May 2025 and was issued with the title deed in September 2025.He argues that despite several requests, Phatshwane has refused to vacate the premises.Ramosweu contends that he has been deprived of the use and enjoyment of his property for almost a year and has suffered financial loss because of the continued occupation.However, Phatshwane insists there are still serious questions that need answering before he can be removed from the property.He vividly recalls attending what he believed was the auction of his home."I remember that day very clearly. Only two people showed up. One offered P30 000 and the other P60 000. There were no serious bidders, and the house was not sold that day. I do not know whether another auction was ever held," he said.According to him, that was the last communication he received regarding the property until Ramosweu unexpectedly arrived claiming ownership.

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FIGHTING ON