moratorium on evictions

Ronald Lamola, Justice Minister / Photo by Luke Daniel, TheSouthAfrican.com

COVID-19: South Africa bans evictions during national lockdown

Justice Minister Rodney Lamola announced a moratorium on evictions for the remainder of the COVID-19 lockdown.

moratorium on evictions

Ronald Lamola, Justice Minister / Photo by Luke Daniel, TheSouthAfrican.com

South Africa is now among the countries that have effected a moratorium on evictions as the world comes to grips with the COVID-19 crisis.

A 21-day national lockdown began at midnight on Thursday and is set to run until 16 April.

Moratorium on evictions issued out by government

In what is an uncertain period in many respects, there have been growing calls for the government to issue out a ban on evictions for the duration of the lockdown.

On Saturday, while updating the nation on the many special measures his department will be taking in the next three weeks, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola announced that no evictions will be carried out during the lockdown. 

The special government gazette issued out following the growing spread of the pandemic states that evictions will be suspended for the remainder of the 21-day period.

“All evictions and executions of attachment orders, both movable and immovable, including the removal of movable assets and sales in executions is suspended with immediate effect for the duration of the lockdown.”

An uncertain period

Several lobby groups called for a moratorium on evictions in the days leading up to the lockdown. 

This was due to concerns about a possible loss of income that could befall some citizens during the 21-day period, where certain operations had to be suspended.

According to one of the lobby groups, evictions would place individuals in a vulnerable position with regards to contracting or transmitting the coronavirus.

 “Those facing eviction are particularly vulnerable to the health risks posed by COVID-19, when evictions would lead to homelessness. Movements and organisations in the social justice sector urge the state to immediately attend to those who have nowhere else to go, those facing life on the streets, and those living in emergency alternative accommodation in conditions that could foster the spread of COVID-19,” Law Centre Ndifuna Ukwazi director Mandisa Shandu said.

South Africa has rapidly emerged as the epicentre of the virus in the continent, with 1 187 confirmed cases and one reported death.

Other countries that have issued out a moratorium on evictions include Australia, who announced a six-month ban on evictions, as announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday.

“State and Territories will be moving to put a moratorium on evictions of persons as a result of financial distress if they are unable to meet their commitments,” he said.

Scott Morrison

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen well over 600 000 people infected, with deaths crossing the 30 000-mark over the weekend.