Earlier this year, the City said it had appointed a team of consultants to assess the development possibilities of identified sites in Hangberg for the second phase of a housing project there. Picture: Candice Chaplin.
The City is seeking to evict more than ten families from municipal land in Hangberg.
Some of the families, according to community leader Roscoe Jacobs, are beneficiaries of the second phase of the Hangberg housing project, which has yet to break ground.
Earlier this year, the City said it had appointed a team of consultants to assess the development possibilities of identified sites in Hangberg for the housing project (“City appoints consultants for Hangberg housing,” February 2024).
The City told the Sentinel that it had started eviction proceedings against unlawful occupiers on three municipal plots - Erven 2844-RE, 3512-RE and 5309. The properties are in the Karbonkel Road area.
In a statement on Tuesday, the City confirmed it was the owner of the plots.
“The reason for the matter being on the court roll on Tuesday April 16, is for the respondents to advise whether they are opposing the eviction application or not. Should they elect to oppose, the matter will be postponed for an eviction hearing to another date,” the City said.
In a statement, Mr Jacobs, a member of the people’s steering committee for the housing project, condemned the City’s application in the Western Cape High Court for an order to evict the families, saying it was a blow to their human rights.
He told the Sentinel that he and the families would oppose the application, and the matter had now been provisionally postponed to October 23.
Mr Jacobs said the status of the housing project remained unclear.
He added that the land from which the City wanted to evict the families had not been earmarked for the housing project.
“The current project's scope doesn't include land near Karbonkel Road, and residents shouldn't be criminalised for lack of housing. Also, the land parcels that are going to be utilised for phase two do not include the land parcels that the City are referring to in their court proceedings.”
Mayoral committee member for human settlement Carl Pophaim said the City had several projects at various stages of completion in Hout Bay and any unlawful occupations jeopardised them.
“Actions, such as illegal occupation, hinder projects and mean the City must spend resources on legal proceedings,“ he said.
Many housing beneficiaries across the metro supported the City and did not take illegal action, he said.
“There is no excuse for breaking the law. This is to the detriment of projects, beneficiaries, the City and community at large. The City has been active in aiming to reduce the housing challenge in Hangberg, as it is doing in communities across the metro. Apart from subsidy housing, it has also in the last ten years built new community residential units in Hangberg, and work continues,” Mr Pophaim said.
Mr Jacobs told the Sentinel that the families did not wish to speak to the media until they had first obtained legal representation.
The City, when asked if it would offer the families alternative accommodation, said: “The question regarding alternative accommodation cannot be answered at this stage as the parties still have to enter into meaningful engagement.”
Ward councillor Roberto Quintas said: “The City of Cape Town follows legal procedures and processes in terms of eviction applications. An eviction order by the High Court will be granted only if there is valid cause or reason for said eviction application, and if conditions as set by the court and constitution are met.”