The City of Cape Town has been urging the national government to address the situation regarding a group of homeless individuals living outside the Castle of Good Hope, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Despite the City’s efforts to provide alternative housing at designated Safe Spaces, many have declined the offers.
In September, the Western Cape High Court granted an eviction order to the Public Works and Infrastructure Department, giving the homeless community until 17 October to leave the premises.
The City is currently engaging with those affected, aiming to assist them in finding transitional shelters. Although a specific date for the eviction has not been publicly announced, the City indicated that, after exhausting all other options, individuals would eventually be required to vacate with their belongings.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has emphasised the urgency of the situation, noting that the eviction is imminent and considered a crucial step toward revitalising an area that has suffered from neglect and urban decay for several years. During a recent council meeting, he expressed regret over the length of time it has taken to address the issue, highlighting the challenges posed by previous administrations.
As first reported by EWN, the urgency of the situation was underscored by a recent fire that broke out near the castle, quickly extinguished by the City’s fire department. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, though the fire resulted in the destruction of three structures and left five individuals without shelter.
News24 reported that according to the eviction order, the City is required to provide safe accommodation for those displaced, but cooperation from former public works ministers has reportedly been lacking. Hill-Lewis remarked on the tendency of residents to wait until the last moment to accept alternative housing offers, which he believes could prevent lengthy legal battles.
The Castle of Good Hope, a national heritage site, has seen a decline in visitors partly due to the conditions surrounding it, where homeless individuals have resorted to using the nearby moat for sanitation purposes. The City remains committed to resolving this issue, though progress has been slow.
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Picture: ER Lombard / Gallo Images
