The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has hailed the success of the Provincial Rental Housing Tribunal, which has resolved more than 13 250 rental complaints since 2020.
According to the DA, the Tribunal’s caseload has grown from 1 944 cases in 2020/21 to 3 330 in 2024/25, nearly doubling in five years. The party says the increase reflects growing public trust in the free, fast, and accessible dispute resolution service, which protects the rights of both tenants and landlords.
Most cases involve unlawful evictions, failure to refund deposits, rent and municipal arrears, poor maintenance, and invalid notices to vacate. Many disputes are resolved through mediation before reaching a formal hearing, saving time, costs, and easing the burden on the courts.
Dirk Wessels, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Infrastructure, said the DA-led provincial government is “protecting tenants, holding landlords accountable, and ensuring disputes are resolved quickly, fairly, and free of charge.”
The Tribunal works with NGOs, advice offices, the Consumer Protector, and other regulatory bodies to extend its reach, while community education campaigns aim to make residents more aware of their housing rights.
Wessels said the initiative shows “DA governance in action” and that each dispute resolved represents “a home saved, a family protected, and a community strengthened.”
According to the DA, the Tribunal’s caseload has grown from 1 944 cases in 2020/21 to 3 330 in 2024/25, nearly doubling in five years. The party says the increase reflects growing public trust in the free, fast, and accessible dispute resolution service, which protects the rights of both tenants and landlords.
Most cases involve unlawful evictions, failure to refund deposits, rent and municipal arrears, poor maintenance, and invalid notices to vacate. Many disputes are resolved through mediation before reaching a formal hearing, saving time, costs, and easing the burden on the courts.
Dirk Wessels, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Infrastructure, said the DA-led provincial government is “protecting tenants, holding landlords accountable, and ensuring disputes are resolved quickly, fairly, and free of charge.”
The Tribunal works with NGOs, advice offices, the Consumer Protector, and other regulatory bodies to extend its reach, while community education campaigns aim to make residents more aware of their housing rights.
Wessels said the initiative shows “DA governance in action” and that each dispute resolved represents “a home saved, a family protected, and a community strengthened.”
