In September, the Western Cape High Court granted an eviction order to the National Public Works Department, which pertained to the unlawful occupation of the area surrounding the Castle of Good Hope in the CBD.
Occupants were ordered to vacate the premises by 17 October 2024 but several seem to be refusing the court-ordered relocation, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Also read: Eviction order granted against unlawful occupants surrounding the Castle
The unlawful occupants, upon being order to vacate, were offered the option of relocating to a ‘dignified transitional shelter’ at City-owned Safe Spaces.
These Safe Spaces are said to include dignified shelter, comfort, two meals per day, access to an on-site social worker, skills training and more.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis claimed that the unlawful occupation began during the 2020 national lockdown. He further commented that the public area surrounding the castle needs to be restored for public use to the benefit of the tourism sector and the economy at large.
In addition, he said that the restoration is important for the unlawful occupants, as social assistance will ultimately aid in their health, dignity and well-being.
News24, upon visiting the location on 17 October, reported that many of the occupants were refusing to vacate.
The occupants were reported to be continuing with business as usual as no one seemed to be packing up their belongings or deconstructing their makeshift tents.
It has further been reported that no appeal application has been launched against the eviction order and as it stands, there is no party legally opposing the matter.
The City has held that ‘no person has the right to reserve a public space as exclusively theirs while indefinitely refusing all offers of shelter and social assistance.’
Their plan of action regarding the refusal to vacate however, is not yet known.
City supports eviction application for removal of unlawful occupants surrounding Castle of Good Hope
Picture: ER Lombard / Gallo Images
