VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH JHC AND MONICA NTHANGENI– HOW MY FAMILY WAS TREATED

I am extremely disappointed and hurt by the way JHC has treated my family, particularly regarding my dealings with Monica Nthangeni.

Our monthly rent is R4,900. We paid R3,000, leaving R1,900 outstanding. We had already communicated that we would raise the remaining amount and pay it the following week. We were not refusing to pay and we have never run away from our rental responsibilities.

What is most concerning is that we only received the notice yesterday, and today we were locked out of our home. Is this really a fair and reasonable way to treat tenants, especially when communication had already taken place regarding the outstanding amount?

What broke my heart was coming home and finding my son outside next to the security guard after he returned from school because he could not get into our home. It was cold, and the main electricity switch had also been switched off.

Imagine being a parent and finding your child outside in the cold because your family is short by R1,900.

We have been JHC tenants for many years. Yes, we have experienced financial difficulties, but we have always made an effort to raise the money and pay our rent. We have never run away from paying and have never gone two consecutive months without paying rent.

After all these years of being tenants and paying JHC, this is how we are treated — with no dignity or consideration.

JHC always tells residents that “this is your home” and “this is your safe space.” But how can this be our safe space when our family can be locked out with only one day’s notice and a child can return from school and find himself outside?

I am not denying that R1,900 was outstanding. We accept our responsibility to pay it. My issue is the way JHC handled the situation and the decision to lock us out of our home.

I am also extremely concerned about the way this matter was handled by Monica Nthangeni.

JHC, I am asking you: Where is the dignity? Where is the humanity? Where is the “safe space” you always tell us that our homes are supposed to be?

We are a family. We are long-standing tenants. We deserve to be treated with respect.

I have proof of our payment, the notice we received, and our communication regarding the outstanding amount.

I want JHC to explain why we were locked out the very next day after receiving the notice and why my child had to experience this.