The City of Cape Town has welcomed the Western Cape High Court’s decision to grant an eviction order to the National Public Works Department.
The eviction order pertains to the unlawful occupation of the area surrounding the Castle of Good Hope in the CBD, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Also read: City supports eviction application for removal of unlawful occupants surrounding Castle of Good Hope
Occupants have to vacate the premises by 17 October and have been offered ‘dignified transitional shelter’ at City-owned Safe Spaces.
Further offers for shelter have been pledged by NGO-run night shelters and remain available.
The City further claims to have documented the personal circumstances of each of the unlawful occupants by conducting on site interviews.
City Safe Spaces aim to assist people off the streets, sustainably, and allow them to be reintegrated into society. Within these facilities, personal development and employment opportunities are available to residents.
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Commenting on the matter, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis claimed to warmly welcome the court order.
‘This site has long been a source of public concern and complaint – as well as a source of frequent incidents of crime and general grime.’
‘The unlawful occupation began during national lockdown, and the City has long been advocating for a resolution not only because of the Castle’s tourism and economic importance, but also for the sake of the unlawful occupants,’ ended the mayor of Cape Town.
The City further claimed to be spending over R220 million within the next three years, to expand the operation of its Safe Space transitional shelters.
As it stands, there are two safe spaces in operation. One is located in Culemborg in the east CBD, which holds 510 beds and another is situated in Green Point, where 300 beds are available. Another Safe Space will potentially be opened in Muizenberg but this remains unconfirmed.
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City Safe Spaces are said to include dignified shelter, comfort, two meals per day, access to an on-site social worker, skills training and more.
Also read:
Cape Town mayor addresses tented camps near Castle of Good Hope
Picture: ER Lombard / Gallo Images
