City obtains urgent interdict against invasion of District 6 restitution land
03 May 2021
The City of Cape Town has successfully obtained an urgent interdict in the Western Cape High Court against the invasion of District 6 restitution land. The City had received information that another group of people are intending to further unlawfully occupy parts of the District 6 land in central Cape Town. This land is earmarked for the rightful beneficiaries who were forcibly removed from the area by the apartheid government.
The District 6 restitution process is led by national government and there have regrettably been many delays to date. A successful large-scale unlawful occupation of this land will have a profoundly disastrous impact on thousands of restitution beneficiaries. Unconfirmed reports of possible political instigation have been received and are being looked into.
The interim order granted to the City applies with immediate effect. The order interdicts and restrains any person from:
Entering the properties for the purposes of unlawfully occupying or invading;
Erecting, completing or extending any structure on the Properties;
Occupying any vacant structures on the Properties;
Intimidating, threatening, harassing or assaulting or in any way interfering with the work of officials, councillors and law enforcement
The order further empowers City law enforcement and the Sheriff of the Court, with the assistance of the South African Police Services (SAPS), to immediately remove any person found to be in contravention of the order, and to demolish any incomplete and unoccupied structures.
'We welcome the granting of an interdict against unlawful occupation attempts in District 6. The City has liaised with all landowners in the area and authorities remain on high alert. I recently met with the District 6 Working Committee, who are committed to protecting the land and to working with the City to ensure that the restitution process proceeds without any unnecessary delays. The City will do absolutely everything in its power and within the law to continue to protect the rightful beneficiaries of District 6,’ said the City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato.
There have been smaller pockets of unlawful occupations already on several parts of this land. Covid-19 regulations, and in particular two court cases, continue to negatively impact the City’s powers as a landowner and enforcer of by-laws. We continue to call for the lifting of national disaster regulations around evictions as these are being widely abused and causing a crisis of decay in cities across the country.
Anonymous tip-offs welcomed:
Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place; that has happened or is still to happen. Please call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
