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AFTER two years of controversy and a lengthy legal battle, the court has finally decided the fate of the residents of Zilleraine Heights in Grassy Park.

In May 2006, executive mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille, moved them on to the land on the corner of Klip and Acacia Roads after they settled on another piece of land in the area.

The residents were served with an interdict preventing further settlement on the land.

The land has been earmarked for the development of a sports field.

The residents were also served with an eviction order, which they opposed.

The close-knit community has stood together, organising themselves and operating as a unit.

They even went as far as naming the three streets which lead into the settlement.

But now the fate of Onion Street, Aartappel Street and the main road, Tamatie Street, seems grim.

Dan Plato, mayoral committee member for housing, says the High Court ruled on Friday that the residents must vacate the land.

"The informal settlers must move to Happy Valley in Blackheath. If they refuse they will be evicted. The court ruled that they cannot squat on any land, whether it be provincial or city-owned land."

However, he could not confirm the exact date on which they have to leave.

According to Plato, "much more than R10 million" has been budge?ted for the development at Happy Valley. However, residents of Zilleraine Heights are furious and have stated in the past that they believe Happy Valley is a "dumping site for informal settlement people" ("No joy as Happy Valley looms large", People's Post, Tuesday, 13 March 2007).

"We are not going to move. They can lock us up if they must," said one irate dweller, Eleanore Hoedemaker.

"We are not happy with this. They put the refugees in at Soetwater but we get moved all the way to a dump in Blackheath," continued the resident.

She says they will "take action" and will move on to the pavements if necessary.

"Why don't Zille and Dan go stay in Happy Valley for a week and tell us what it's like?"

"Zilleraine is our home. We were made a number of promises about being given houses in Pelican Park, but we are now happy here," says Hoedemaker.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, she explains that the children attend schools in the area and those who have jobs work close by.

"It will mean we will have to buy new school clothes for the children if we move to Happy Valley. We either need to change our jobs or spend a lot more money ? money which we do not have ? on travel fare. They don't take all of that into consideration."

The group insists they will not move. They are yet to be served with the ruling by the sheriff of the court.

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