City committed to upgrading Dunoon Site 5 following fire
11 January 2026
Media Statement by the Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim
The City of Cape Town is ready to proceed with the urgent reblocking of Dunoon’s Site 5 informal settlements following a devastating fire on Friday, 9 January 2026. Contractors are being prevented from carrying out this work by residents. We understand the mistrust which has emerged because of past delays and unfulfilled commitments by the National Department of Human Settlements.
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We acknowledge the distress experienced by residents and understand the mistrust which has emerged because of past delays and unfulfilled commitments by the National Department of Human Settlements. Some residents have already started rebuilding with salvaged materials rather than wait for formal assistance.
The City has made R12 million available for the site to be reblocked and have contractors on standby, ready to begin work immediately. Key City services are on-site and are ready to go. The City notes the rejection by the affected community for that reblocking intervention.
It is important to place on record that the City is ready to respond. The necessary budget has been identified, contractors are on standby and essential services are on site and ready to begin work immediately.
The City’s ability to act is slowed by the absence of the directive required to enable an emergency housing response from the Minister of Human Settlements. This policy gap is creating delays at a time when residents urgently need assistance.
City officials have been instructed to step aside temporarily to avoid further conflict. We are not withdrawing from the area. We are ready to work with residents, community leadership and other spheres of government to find a way forward, which restores safe and dignified housing as quickly as possible.
We continue to call on national government to provide the necessary policy clarity to enable emergency interventions. Our residents deserve a response which matches the urgency of this disaster.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
