Squatters on District Six Land

The City of Cape Town, the Regional Land Claims Commission, the District Six Beneficiary Redevelopment Trust and the District Six Civic are discussing the way forward and will not be litigating against each other with regard to the present problem of District Six squatters occupying land that is earmarked for redevelopment for the benefit of claimants. The process is guided by a court order that prohibits the summary eviction of the squatters, but also empowers the City to act against new squatters.

A technical team is investigating an alternative site for the new Temporary Relocation Area. The City undertakes that no further squatters will be allowed, except for the 34 families presently being relocated. These are families which were scattered in and around District Six and are being consolidated into one spot.

The Temporary Relocation Area is contained by a fence and will be monitored to stop any growth. Basic sanitation and water services are being provided.

This will allow for the proper monitoring and control of the claimants land. Some of the squatters are legitimate District Six claimants; the status of the others is being investigated.

The City is not bringing new squatters in from other areas. This is not part of the N2 Gateway Project.

The pilot projects are still on track, settling a total of 124 claimant families.

The process of planning the area for the re-settlement of claimants is well under way.

The timeframes cannot be defined at this stage, because there are different categories of squatters and each will be treated according to their merits.

Issued by:
Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Email: media@capetown.gov.za
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media Queries:
Pogiso Molapo
Manager: Restitution
Human Settlement Directorate
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2422