Investigating Housing Corruption in Johannesburg
The Sylvester Stein Fellowship 2024 supported a journalism and citizen journalism initiative in support of the work of housing social movements in Johannesburg (Abahlali base Freedom Park) and Cape Town (the Housing Assembly).
The news investigation looked into land and housing injustices in Johannesburg South, where a major government housing victory had been undermined by political interference, evictions, and the exclusion of community leaders. Canon Collins scholar and Mail & Guardian intern (now permanently employed journalist) Aarti Bhana investigated housing corruption and service failures, drawing on evidence collected by Abahlali base Freedom Park.
In addition, citizen journalism workshops were held in Johannesburg and Cape Town to equip shack dwellers and housing activists with skills to document and report on government failures. The initiative strengthened democratic participation, built relationships between media and communities, and supported emerging researchers in advancing social justice through journalism. The citizen journalism workshops ran from January to February 2025, while the investigation was published after many delays by the City of Johannesburg, in June 2025.
13 June 2025
Joburg officials implicated in RDP house hijackings in Freedom Park
In Freedom Park, Johannesburg, many rightful RDP homeowners with valid title deeds have been left homeless as their houses were illegally occupied or reallocated—allegedly with the help of city officials. One such resident, Simphiwe Ndlovu, became a registered owner in 2022 but found his home taken and still receives bills for it. Civic groups blame ANC-linked officials, especially in areas like Extension 35 and Siyaya. While the City has promised zero tolerance and begun a rectification process, many victims have yet to reclaim their homes.