Squatters on District Six Land

The City of Cape Town, the Regional Land Claims Commission and the District Six Beneficiary Redevelopment Trust are now in the process of relocating the District Six squatters as promised and guided by a court order that empowers the City to act against any new squatters that try to establish themselves on District Six land.

It needs to be emphasised that these squatters are not new people from other areas, but are the same people who have been living in scattered settlements on District Six land for many years. The City consolidated them into one area in District Six so that we were better able to deal with them while their relocation was arranged. The parties never intended to keep the squatters on the current Temporary Relocation Area. It was always intended that they would be relocated, as appropriate, through the proper processes as is now happening.

Temporary accommodation has been made available in Delft. Fireproof Wendy houses have been provided along with basic sanitation and water services.

Those squatters who are part of the District Six Claimants will return to the area when houses have been built for them during the redevelopment process of District Six which is currently taking place. The squatters who are non-claimants will be accommodated in the housing programme that is being provided by the City of Cape Town.

At its meeting of 26 October 2005 Council approved the transfer of the first 24 sites to the claimants who have already settled as part of the Return of the Elders project. In addition, Council approved the transfer of the sites to the next 100 claimants once the second pilot project is completed. The rezoning of the second pilot project, which will allow for the building to begin, is well underway. The City has already contributed R4,5 million to the project for site preparation costs.

The process of planning the area for the re-settlement of claimants is well underway. A draft Summary Development Framework document has been approved internally. The Regional Land Claims Commission is in the process of employing a facilitator to manage the public involvement process on the Development Framework document. The Trust is working closely with the Commission to assist claimants to prepare for their return to District Six. These three parties are in the process of forming a Public Private Partnership which will spearhead and expedite the development of District Six Land.

Issued by:
Communication and Marketing
City Of Cape Town
E-Mail: media@capetown.gov.za
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media Queries:
Pogiso Molapo
Manager: Land Restitution
Tel: 021 400 2422