Financial strain fuels surge in home repossession cases (opens original article in a new tab)

Financial strain in South Africa has led to a rise in home repossession cases, with increasing mortgage defaults and sheriff’s auctions as households struggle with living costs, unemployment, and stagnant income growth.

• Mortgage accounts in default increased from 112,874 in 2023 to 118,698 in 2024
• Home loan disputes rose to 8.09% in 2025 compared to 7.17% in 2024
• Sheriff’s auctions of properties increased from 1,270 in 2023 to 1,594 in 2024