Francesca Lucia, an Italian property developer, experienced a legal nightmare in South Africa when she discovered a squatter occupying her dream property. Despite the law siding with squatters, Lucia was committed to respecting it and sought legal advice. After months of escalating legal fees, renovation expenses, and emotional distress, Lucia was forced to pay a settlement of R38,000 to the squatter, highlighting the urgent need for legal reform to address issues related to squatter’s rights and protect homeowners from similar predicaments.
