The former whites-only Pretoria City Council used an apartheid law, the Group Areas Act, to forcibly remove me and my family from the old Lady Selborne in December 1965. More than 40 years later, I became the first resident of the new Lady Selborne.

The former whites-only Pretoria City Council used an apartheid law, the Group Areas Act, to forcibly remove me and my family from the old Lady Selborne in December 1965. More than 40 years later, I became the first resident of the new Lady Selborne.

But now, the black-controlled Tshwane Metropolitan Council is using a different tactic to kick me out - non-payment of rent. Let me explain.

Since I was granted a Certificate of Occupancy on February 1 2007, my rent has never been less than R1000. It increased to as much as R4181 at one time. I live with my family of four in an ordinary residential house.

In May, I was charged R730 for "security deposit request". A municipal official told me I am paying for "some other residents who cannot afford to pay their rent". But I was the only resident of Lady Selborne at the time.

Although I have an electricity meter box outside my property, council inspectors do not check my electricity consumption.

They "estimated" my consumption and charged me R3338,94 for two months.

This month, I received an account. This time for R942,35 which brought my rent to R2176.

Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa, I am appealing to you for help.

John Mojapelo

Lady Selborne