The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) last
week fined Gabriella Johnson R25,000.
In October, Pol Osei posted a copy of a WhatsApp
conversation between himself and Johnson on social media in which the estate
agent told him his application for accommodation had been declined because of
his race.
Testifying before a PPRA committee, Osei said he responded
to an advert for a rental property which bore Johnson’s details. He said the
advert said nothing about a “race-specific tenant”.
He said on October 19, he contacted Johnson who promised to
get back to him. Osei said the following day he received a message from Johnson
telling him that he was “not eligible as the landlord was not keen on renting
it out to people of colour/foreigners”.
Johnson pleaded not guilty. She told the hearing she had
acted “as a concerned citizen when she assisted” Osei.
According to the PPRA, Johnson said she “knew the habits
of/or desires of the landlord but the landlord had not given her such specific
instructions” and “admitted that she had raised the issue of race”.
The fine issued by the PPRA is payable within 30 days.
Johnson did not respond when approached for comment.
Osei said Johnson has got off lightly.
“I think a R25,000 fine for someone who earns a commission
on property sales in Cape Town is a bit of slap on the wrist but I respect the
ruling,” said Osei.
TimesLIVE
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