- The City of Cape Town welcomed the interdict against unlawful occupation attempts in District Six.
- The order empowers the City and the Sheriff to protect the land against any attempted illegal occupation.
- The land has been earmarked for District Six claimants.
City of Cape Town mayor Dan Plato welcomed the finalisation of an interdict against illegal occupation attempts in District Six.
This comes a month after the City urgently approached the Western Cape High Court for an interdict against people intending to illegally occupy the land, which is earmarked for District Six claimants.
"We welcome the finalisation of our interdict against unlawful occupation attempts in District Six," Plato said.
"The District Six Working Committee is supporting this process and remains committed to working with the City to protect the land and ensure that the restitution process proceeds without any unnecessary delays," he added.
District Six Working Committee spokesperson, Karen Breytenbach, said they cannot condone lawlessness and land grabs in District Six because it robs legitimate claimants, who have taken the painstaking legal route.
"Our claimants, who have fought for years for their restitution, are right at the point of return. We cannot and will not allow their determination to be derailed now," said Breytenbach.
"We commend the City of Cape Town for attempting to protect the rights of rightful beneficiaries."
While illegal occupation appears to be the biggest challenge, there is a concern that people may be moved further from the city centre.
District Six Civic Association chairperson, Asa Salie, told News24: "The [City of Cape Town] is more concerned about spatial development and making the city up until Salt River pretty and [providing] inner-city living for those who can pay.
"The City is big on gentrification, and then they want to say that they didn't do it."
Salie said she hopes the City can house everyone who needs a house.
Salie added:
The court empowered the City and the Sheriff, with the assistance of SAPS, to protect the land against any attempted illegal occupation, to immediately remove any person found to be in contravention of the order, and to demolish any incomplete and unoccupied structures.