A Vangate Mall trader, who was locked out of her kiosk for failing to pay her hiked-up rent, is back in business after turning to the courts.
Mimoona Carelse reopened her shop after the sheriff of the court granted her an order to continue operating until a judgement is made.
Mimoona went to the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court last week to obtain an order preventing her landlord from increasing her rent and evicting her.
This after the new landlord at Vangate Mall, Ali Essa, locked her out when she refused to sign a new lease agreement, which would see her rent increase by R1700.
CASE: Mimoona Carelse can’t afford rent increase of R1700 for her Vangate Mall kiosk
“I must now pay R13 000, which includes R6 000 for the advance (deposit), R6 000 for rent, R500 for lease papers and R500 for utilities,” Mimoona said.
The mother of six, who sells clothing and bags, says she hasn’t made any money during the lockdown and could not afford the new rent.
“I had to go to court because I want to operate, but the money they are charging me is too much,” she said on Sunday.
“My issue is why increase the rent during the lockdown period?
“For 15 years I was paying R3500, it only went up with R800, to R4300. That was fine, but this new increase is unacceptable.”
She said the other traders paid because they were scared they were going to lose their kiosks.
“I am happy that I can operate again, but I want the court to assist us and get the rent reduced. R6000 is too much for us vendors.”
Before moving to Vangate Mall, Mimoona was trading in the streets of Gatesville and says the kiosks were built for them.
NEW LEASE AGREEMENTS: Vangate Mall increased traders’ rent
“The landlords at that time came to me and said I must come to the mall because the kiosks are for us to get out of the streets.
“We sell to communities that sometimes come with their monies short and we give them the items anyway because we are a community. They support us, we support them.”
When Daily Voice approached Essa for
comment on Sunday, the landlord said: “I have no comment to give on the matter, thank you, sir.”
velani.ludidi@inl.co.za