WCGov slams housing activists protest ahead of ConCourt hearing

The Western Cape Government has criticised housing activists for, what it says, ‘breaching security and attempting to illegally invade’ the Tafelberg site.

Reclaim the City and Ndifuna Ukwazi protested at the Sea Point property on Saturday, which is intended for affordable housing.

COURTESY: Reclaim The City

The Constitutional Court will on Tuesday hear the housing advocacy groups, application against the Supreme Court of Appeal’s judgment and order in the Tafelberg matter.

Western Cape Infrastructure MEC, Tertius Simmers lashed out at the housing group saying they previously proposed to use a portion of the site for social services, while the other portion is proposed to be utilized for affordable housing.

‘’We have asked on numerous occasions that Reclaim the City work with us and not against us. Their actions today are abhorrent, and a deliberate attempt to sabotage the redevelopment of this site. The fact that it was the very same Reclaim the City who was calling for more affordable housing in the metro in the first place, leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, and one cannot help to wonder whether they really have the best interest of our communities at heart, or whether this is politically motivated.”

Two members of the Western Cape Legislature - The African National Congress (ANC)’s Khalied Sayed and GOOD Party’s Brett Herron, also attended the gathering

Simmers believes the event was politically driven.

“It is disappointing to also see political leaders from opposition parties at the attempted unlawful invasion today. They are not helping the cause and their attendance proves that today’s events are politically driven, that they have no interest in the real needs of our people, and that they are willing to support actions which had they succeeded in their attempted invasion would’ve been illegal. Public protest is a democratic right, unlawful occupation is illegal and impedes our attempts to deliver much-needed affordable housing in the city.”

“The actions of Reclaim the City and their political partners today, are in complete bad faith given our plans for the site, which includes affordable housing, and that there is an outstanding Constitutional Court’s ruling regarding the site. Once again, I ask Reclaim the City: work with us, not against us. The Western Cape Government is fully committed to delivering affordable housing in well-located areas in the metro, and our plans for the Tafelberg site is proof thereof,’’ added Tertius Simmers, Western Cape Infrastructure MEC.

COURTESY: Reclaim The City

Done by: Mitchum George