Financial hardship claims life

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A middle-aged woman who resided in Cradock Street, Graaff-Reinet, committed suicide in the early afternoon on Monday 3 May.

She was found hanging from a nylon rope in the lapa of her leased flatlet and was declared dead upon arrival of the Graaff-Reinet Emergency Medical Services.

Acquaintances of the deceased are speculating that financial hardship, resulting from the Covid-19 lockdown, as well as harassment for arrear rental and the threat of illegal eviction by the lessor of the flatlet, may have contributed to this tragic incident.

It is alleged that the lessor has already attempted to evict the deceased towards the end of January this year when she was given less than a week's notice to vacate the flatlet. Fortunately, she was able to raise the money to pay the arrear rental at the time and was allowed to stay on.

On 12 September 2020, the SABC news reported that a social media-based public group, #NoEvictions, has raised alarm over tenants who are taking their own lives due to harassment for arrear rental by landlords.

At that point in time, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, already announced that an estimated number of 1 800 people in South Africa have committed suicide within the first four months of the national lockdown due to the increased depression and anxiety that Covid-19 has brought about.

According to Nanandi Albers from #NoEvictions, these suicide rates are rapidly escalating because of, inter alia, the inability of tenants to pay rent and the persistent harassment and/or threats of eviction by landlords.

In terms of the Government Gazette, an eviction under Alert Level 1 can only go ahead if a competent court is of the opinion that, "it is not just or equitable to suspend or stay the order".

Considerations that need to be taken into account before an eviction order can be granted include the steps that the lessor has taken to make alternative arrangements for payment of arrear rental in order to prevent the need for relocation, and whether the lessee has access to an alternative place of residence.

The need for every individual to have a place of residence and access to services to protect his/her health is also emphasized.

It is important to note that, essentially, no tenant may be evicted without a court order, and landlords are urged to follow proper eviction procedures when attempting to evict a tenant in order to avoid the possibility of another tragedy of this nature.

Suicide Crisis Helpline

The Graaff-Reinet Advertiser will normally not cover suicide stories unless it is in the public interest. However, we felt that in the light of the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought upon the vulnerable we would urge people in dire straits to rather ask for help before taking drastic steps.

If you are in a desperate situation please call the South Africa Suicide Crisis Helpline.