A woman from Strand has been struggling to get the title deed to her house, after the Department of Human Settlements registered the property under FIVE people’s names, including her ex-husband and his two subsequent wives.
Wendy Carstens, 56, says following their divorce in 1994, she’s been trying to get the house in Voorbrug, Delft, on her name.
“When my husband and I got divorced, I got the house. It is stated on our divorce papers as we were married in community of property.
“Since then I've been struggling to get the house on my name,” Wendy explains.
LEGAL FIGHT: Wendy Carstens, 54, with court papers.
In 2015, she received a letter from Human Settlements, stating the title deed would be changed and registered on her name, but this didn’t happen.
“When I got the title deed in 2015, I was shocked. My name, my ex-husband’s name, his second wife and her new husband, as well as his third wife’s names were also on the title deed. How can a title deed have five names on?
“In August, I took my case to the Western Cape High Court because it seems no one is taking the legal divorce documents seriously.
“I just want my house so I can sell it and move on with my life.
“I won the case and the judge ordered the deed be changed to my name only as the sole proprietor of the property. But, to date, nothing has happened.
“I went to the Deeds Office and they told me there’s no progress.
“I went to Human Settlements and the rude woman told me to go back from where I came.”
BONE OF CONTENTION: Fight over ownership of Delft house.
But spokesperson for Human Settlements, Marcellino Martin, says the 2015 title deed registry was done correctly.
“The Department of Human Settlements instructed the State Attorney to effect the transfer of immovable property in terms of Deeds Registries Act.
“The property was transferred correctly on 9 December 2015 as per the Deeds Registrar rules.”
He said as the department is not a respondent in the court matter, Wendy should take her court order to the Deeds Office for them to adjust the document.
“The Department cannot act on the Court Order as this duty is placed on the Deeds Office.”
But Wendy says: “The Deeds Office was the one that directed me to Human Settlements, all I want is my house.”