PROPERTY NEWS - Moving house within the Republic of South Africa is not illegal any more - but only for the period from 7 May to 7 June 2020.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has given house-moving during Level 4 lockdown the go-ahead, but there are certain restrictions.
Gazetted on 7 May, the directive for a once-off movement of persons and goods for houses, states that its "purpose is to facilitate the movement of persons and goods within and across provincial, metropolitan or district boundaries during the period of Alert Level 4."
This refers to the movement of persons and goods, where one of the following requires a change in place of residence:
• new lease agreements were entered into before or during the lockdown period; or
• the transfer of immovable property occurred before the lockdown period.
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Period for relocation
According to the Government Gazette Volume 659 issued on 7 May 2020, the once-off movement of persons and transportation of goods - which is limited to household furniture and effects - will be allowed, and only in the period from 7 May to 7 June 2020.
In addition, residents must obtain a permit to travel across provincial, metropolitan and district boundaries.
What you'll need
It is critical to note that the persons that would be travelling would require permits from a station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her.
• As per the direction stipulated in the Gazette, these permits can be obtained from a police station commander. The permit must indicate the persons who are part of the household who will be required to move.
• The permit should correspond to Form 1 on page 6 of the Gazette; titled "Permit to travel to another province, metropolitan area or district for purposes of relocation", which must be completed by the person(s) who are moving.
• The person(s) who are moving must have in their possession the relevant lease agreement indicating the date of expiry of the old lease and the date of commencement of the new lease", OR the transfer documents attesting to the change in place of residence or change of ownership of property.
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New conditions
Prior communication from the government indicated that "people are not allowed to move houses; moving companies are not provided for to resume operations in Level 4". At the time it was decided that a grace period of seven days would apply, until the new conditions have been gazetted.
On 8 May, Minister Fikile Mbalula called on residents moving between provinces to exercise extreme caution.
Western Cape Provincial Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers, also encouraged all who have been looking forward to this opportunity to immediately make use of it. It is important that all protocols are adhered to, so that no one is denied the opportunity to move and that there's no chance of spreading Covid-19.
Sources: Government Gazette Volume 659 issued on 7 May 2020, www.thesouthafrican.com
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