All stakeholders to be consulted in Prasa-relocation matter
29 July 2022
The City welcomes the strides that have been made to unlock parts of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s Central Line, which came to a halt following the unlawful occupation of the railway reserve. Prasa has finalised a relocation destination for Phase 1 – Langa Relocations. The land parcels are situated in the Philippi Wedge Area. The Housing Development Agency (HDA) is the implementing agency on behalf of Prasa for this nationally-funded project. The City is a supporting partner to the HDA, the National Transport and Human Settlements Departments, Prasa and the Western Cape Government.
For the Phase 2 Khayelitsha Relocations, the City wishes to clarify that although a number of land parcels are being investigated no site has in fact been acquired in Macassar. These land parcels are currently zoned “Agricultural” and should Prasa wish to acquire these for human settlements purposes, this would be subject to a public participation and due process as per the provisions of the Cape Town Municipal Planning By-Law. All relevant community stakeholders will be thoroughly consulted should Prasa initiate a rezoning application.
It must also be noted that the relocations are subject to housing legislation and State-housing requirements. The accommodation for relocates would be informed by their housing status as per the Housing Needs Registrar.
The City does not support queue-jumping and is careful to objectively apply housing laws, which outline emergency accommodation alternatives where there is health and safety risk to people who have settled on land that is not appropriate for housing, such as under power lines, on railway lines, in wetlands and on flood plains.
The City will provide updates on further developments and thanks the communities and implementing partners for the progress that has been made.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
