Residents against eviction of four families from Grassy Park

By Tarryn Le Chat
22 June 2007

The Cape Town Anti-War Coalition is against the removal of four families from the Grassy Park area, allegedly by the City of Cape Town.

The Coalition says that they are warning the council that any forced removal for these four new families that have settled on the area, would have strong resistance.

According to a statement released by the group, the council has told the families they would be back in 24 hours to demolish the shacks the families are living in.

The Coalition says the council has seen Happy Valley as a dumping ground, removing shack dwellers from their homes and relocating with a ‘starter shack pack’ which includes three sticks and a piece of heavy plastic.

However, Steven Erasmus, head of management for informal settlements from the City of Cape Town, says they have no knowledge of demolishing shacks in that area and that it must be on private property.