"There's No Way": R5k Cape Town Property Has SA in Disbelief

• A Cape Town property listing has sparked confusion after a three-bedroom house was advertised for R5,000
• The video highlighted ongoing challenges in South Africa’s housing market, where affordability, safety, and transparency often collide
• With housing pressure increasing in major cities, unclear listings like this reflect deeper frustrations around access to decent and affordable homes
• Briefly News reached out to Zola Mekula, the principal of Zolam Properties, who posted the listing, to clarify the confusion surrounding the R5,000 Cape Town property that sparked widespread disbelief online

One unclear price, one unfinished house, and a country already stressed about housing; this listing struck a nerve for a reason.

A video posted by @zolam.properties6 on 2 January 2026 has left South Africans confused and debating after showcasing a three-bedroom house in Khayelitsha listed for R5,000 and available immediately. The property was shown by an estate agent who did not clearly state whether the amount referred to the monthly rent or the sale price, which became the main point of discussion. The house, located in an area many consider unsafe, appeared unfinished, with visible rubble and clear signs that work such as painting would be required before occupation.

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South Africa’s property market has become increasingly difficult to navigate, especially in major metros like Cape Town, where prices continue to rise faster than wages. Affordable housing remains a serious issue, particularly for working-class families. Listings that appear too cheap often raise red flags, while rentals that seem expensive for certain areas highlight how uneven property pricing has become. Khayelitsha, like many townships, sits at the centre of these conversations, where access, safety, infrastructure, and affordability all play a role in how value is perceived. Briefly News contacted the real estate company for comment and will update the article if and when a response is provided.

R5,000 listing raises serious questions

The unclear pricing, combined with the condition of the property, is what sparked widespread attention online. User @zolam.properties6‘s video gained traction because it touched on several sensitive realities at once. Housing shortages, unclear property listings, and the gap between what people earn and what they are expected to pay. The lack of clarity around whether the R5,000 was rent or a sale price made viewers pause, rewatch, and share the clip, trying to make sense of it. The condition of the house added another layer, as many questioned how move-in ready it actually was.

Many viewers expressed disbelief and frustration, saying the price did not add up either way. Some felt it was misleading without proper details, while others saw it as another example of how confusing the property market has become for ordinary South Africans trying to secure a place to live.

Zola spoke to Briefly News and first addressed the broader issue he believes the reaction to the listing revealed, and the criticism directed at township-based businesses is often unfair and deeply concerning.

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“I want to address a critical issue regarding how some members of our community treat one another. In South Africa, there is a significant problem where Black individuals undermine other Black individuals, as well as the neighbourhoods where many Black people reside. These living conditions were not solely a result of apartheid. Many people were forcibly relocated from better areas to where they currently live.”

Zola then clarified how the confusion around the listing price came about.

“The property was initially advertised on TikTok, Facebook, Property24, and the Zolam Properties website for R5,500 for rent. I am not sure how the confusion arose. It was always clear that the property was for rental, not for sale at R5,000. In one of my videos, I also explained that the property was still undergoing renovations.”

He explained that the property belongs to an owner based in Limpopo and was advertised before renovations were completed.

“The property was entrusted to us by the owner, who currently resides in Limpopo. I posted it just after Christmas, before January 1, 2026, before any renovations. After feedback from TikTok, I requested the owner to paint the house, and I can provide before-and-after pictures.”

Zola admitted to an error in how the price was written online.

“On January 2, 2026, I checked on the painting progress, which was nearly complete. In my video, I clarified that the house was for rental, but unfortunately, I mistakenly wrote R5,000 for rent.”

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He added that the final rental price was later reduced.

"Once the painting was finished, I approached the owner about lowering the rental. After discussions with her family, we agreed on R4,000 per month, with a R4,000 deposit and a once-off R2,000 admin fee.”

Zola also defended his company’s reputation and long-standing work in township property markets.

“It is disheartening to see articles that attempt to tarnish my company’s reputation. I have been operating in South African townships for over 15 years, assisting journalists with property articles and providing insights to major banks. That speaks volumes about my reputation.”

He ended by challenging perceptions around property value in townships.

“How can anyone claim there cannot be rental houses priced at R5,000 in Site B, Khayelitsha? That mentality undermines our community. The land where Black people live should hold the same value as land in predominantly white areas. We pay the same taxes and fees, yet our townships are often neglected.”

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Here’s what Mzansi said

Monde wrote:

"Yhuu, R,5000 for this?"

Thobela wrote:

"Abanikazi bayo babaleke ntoni kuyo? Translation: Why did the owners abandon it?”

Mackavit wrote:

"Side B ndahlala 2 weeks bandingenela Emini. Translation: I know this area and used to live there until they robbed me during the day."

Zamokuhle wrote:

"eLitha park, 3-bedroom house for R,2800."

Entle wrote:

"If it’s R,5000, then I'm interested."

Bianca wrote:

"Are you serious? I want to buy it now."

Check out the TikTok video below:

3 Other Briefly News stories about Cape Town properties

• Wealthy foreign buyers are driving Cape Town’s luxury property market, spending around R2.8 billion on homes along the Atlantic Seaboard over the past year.
• A young wife captivated thousands of people after giving a full tour of her beautifully decorated two-roomed shack in Cape Town.
• An American crypto trader headed to his TikTok account to state how "cheap" he found a mansion in Cape Town to be.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News