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97-YEAR-OLD Simone Salesse will be relocated to an old age home in Observatory at 14:00 today (Tuesday).

She has to vacate her council-owned residence in Claremont to make way for a multi-billion rand road and development. Salesse has lived in Campground Road for more than half a century. Her care-gi?ver, Emily Taute (61), has been  living with her for 25 years.

A representative of the French Consulate in Cape Town, who does not want to be named, said yesterday they have looked at various options and will move Salesse to a suitable home today ? despite the fact they believe it was the City of Cape Town's responsibility to do so.

Salesse, who holds French and South African passports, and her care-giver were set to move out of the premises on Friday last week before the city decided to extend the eviction date from 29 February to today.

Charles Cooper, the city's spokesperson, says the city hand-delivered a notice to her more than six months ago.

"We phoned Salesse's legal representative, Geoff Wain, and he was advised of the notice and the pending demolition of the property for the construction of Claremont Boulevard.

"He intimated that it was the city's responsibility to provide the tenant with frail care facilities.

"This misunderstanding was cleared up immediately and he was informed this was not the case but that the city would assist where possible."

Salesse sold the property, once an art studio belonging to her late husband, André Salesse, to the city in 1981.

Emily says, "We have tried to find a place after receiving the notice, but we really could not find a place like this at the same price."

Salesse says she has been renting the flat from the city for R360 a month.

According to Cooper, the soon-to-be-demo?lished property will be used as a part of the Claremont Boulevard development, which has been planned since 2004.

He says the R40 million project has been extensively advertised in a public participation process and will significantly reduce the notorious traffic congestion in the area. It involves the construction of a bypass road to link Letterstedt and Stanhope Roads.

According to the French Consulate, the pension Salesse receives from the French government every month will be used to pay for her new accommodation.

"I am happy to move, but I am not sure I am going to like the new home," Salesse says.

It is understood that Taute will have to make her own arrangements.

Cooper says the city is prepared to take legal action if Salesse and Taute are not out by today.

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