Cape Town resident Pol Osei is taking his horrific encounter with racism in the city’s controversial real estate market to court.
What happened to Pol Osei?
The 26-year-old sent social media into an uproar when he shared screenshots of a WhatsApp text exchange he’d had with high-end property agent Gabriella Johnson.
In the conversation, Osei was seen attempting to book a viewing and possibly apply for the rental property situated at the Fountain Suites, in Cape Town’s central business district.
However, his bid reached a screeching halt when Johnson frankly claimed that the landlord of the 80sqm apartment was “race specific”. Johnson ignored Osei’s rebuttals and encouraged him to look elsewhere since this particular listing was “very tricky.”
"Hey let's casually ignore the constitution today" #racism #SouthAfrica This is one of your employees @tysonprop_cpt pic.twitter.com/hxbWoQzZKh
— Pol Osei (@pol_osei) October 19, 2021
Cape Town resident vows to fight back
Shortly after this triggering exchange went viral, Johnson’s employer Live Real Estate, confirmed in a statement that the realtor has since been suspended and “she will most likely be dismissed at the earliest opportunity, pending her internal hearing.”
The estate agency explained that the property in question was not listed with them. Instead, this was Johnson’s unfinished business with a previous employer.
“It is important to note that Gabriella only joined our agency 48-hours before the incident and at the time was still completing our in-house training which includes our code of ethics. The listing was also still under Tyson Properties, her previous employer,” the agency stated.
Osei, in an interview with Newzroom Afrika, confirmed that Live Real Estate has since taken it upon themselves to assist the Cape Town resident with securing accommodation.
It’s also understood that the 26-year-old will be taking legal action against Johnson and any other parties involved in the racial discrimination.
Johnson will also be reported to the Estate Agency Affairs Board.
Update: I've filed a complaint with the EAAB – @The_DHS, it seems like my complaint is missing a reference number? I'd like to have a way to follow up on this. pic.twitter.com/zZ6dLQJQ77
— Pol Osei (@pol_osei) October 21, 2021