WATCH | 'If I have to die here, I will': Gcina Mkhize holds onto auctioned house as new owner revamps

Former Isibaya TV series actress Gcina Mkhize faces an uphill battle after her house was sold at an auction to businessman Dzivhu Mashile in October 2023.

The actress, who has lived in the house since 2015, claims she bought the house for R1.2m and had been paying her mortgage consistently until 2021 when she experienced a loss of income.

She had defaulted on payments and owed about R200,000 on the house when Mashile bought it for R701,000.

On Monday a video of Mkhize expressing her frustration and pleading with the public to help her circulated on social media. She claims she is being harassed because the new owner has begun refurbishments and a window to a bedroom she was sleeping in was changed by contractors while she was inside.

Speaking to TimesLIVE, Mkhize said she will not leave the house until a court order compels her to do so.

“I will move out when the court tells me to move out. I need to go to court and present my case and then if the ruling says I should move out, I will. If the court doesn't say I should leave, I won't leave.

“I will not run away like a coward. I will stay here and fight for what I believe is rightfully mine. I have no intention of leaving my home. I will not leave because of someone who paid R701,000.

“If I have to die here, I will,” she said.

Mkhize argues Mashile should not have bought the house while she was still living in it.

“Why did he buy the house knowing there are occupants? That is arrogance. He should not make it my problem. I did not ask him to buy my house. I didn't even get the money [typically, this would have been used to offset her debt].”

She's adamant she will fight tooth and nail for the house.

“He's infringing on my constitutional rights. It's wrong on so many levels. I don't care how much he bought the house for; at the end of the day, we are human. Where's humanity in all that?” Mkhize said.

The house was registered under Mashile's name in January 2024. In his defence, he said he offered Mkhize alternative accommodation, a room at the back of the house, but she rejected the offer.

“The lady doesn't own the house; I own the house. I've given her alternative accommodation but she refuses. I have never harassed her; I just want my property. I bought the house, which was available on the market, and I was not at fault for that.

“She's been living in that house for about nine months with no intention of leaving. I will continue renovating the house with or without her. If she maintains she doesn't want to leave I will take legal action, but it's something I can't afford now.”

He believes an eviction order is just a delaying tactic Mkhize is using, which would cost him a lot of money and time.

The situation has sparked public sympathy and outrage, with many expressing support for Mkhize. A BackaBuddy fundraising campaign has been launched to help Mkhize save her home.

TimesLIVE