Public Works Launches Eviction Suits Against Former MK MPs Refusing to Vacate Subsidised Parliamentary Housing

Minister Dean Macpherson authorizes court action to evict three former MK MPs who refuse to leave Cape Town's parliamentary villages after their 2024 dismissal.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 8:04 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from GroundUp

Legal Escalation in Parliamentary Housing Dispute

The Department of Public Works has announced it will initiate court proceedings to evict three former uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Members of Parliament who have remained in state-subsidised residences long after their dismissal. Minister Dean Macpherson confirmed the authorization of these legal actions, which will include seeking cost orders against the occupants. The move follows months of unsuccessful negotiations and the expiration of a formal notice served by the State Attorney requiring the properties to be vacated by March 6, 2026.

The Economics of Parliamentary Village Residency

The residences in question are located within Cape Town’s three designated parliamentary villages: Acacia Park, Pelican Park, and Laboria Park. These units offer significantly subsidised living conditions, with monthly rents ranging from 182 to 362 Rand. The amenities provided to sitting MPs include "basic furniture," free water and electricity, a "settling allowance" for household items, and a dedicated shuttle service to the parliamentary precinct. The Department maintains that these benefits are strictly reserved for active legislators and that the continued occupation by former members constitutes a misuse of public resources.

A History of Political Dismissals and Legal Challenges

The three individuals—France Bongani Mfiki, Garatwe Agnes Mogotsi, and Nomado Grace Mgwebi—were among 18 MK MPs stripped of their party membership in August 2024. Following their dismissal, they were part of a group of ten former members who unsuccessfully petitioned the court to reverse what they termed an "orchestrated" expulsion. Judge Kate Savage eventually dismissed their application with costs, ruling that the former MPs failed to establish a prima facie right to be reinstated to their positions or their state-provided benefits.