Delft eviction order granted
2010-03-11 20:13
Cape Town - The Western Cape High Court on Thursday granted an eviction order against 21 families living in a temporary relocation area (TRA) at Delft on the Cape Flats.
The 21 were not in court to oppose an application by Western Cape housing MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela, who says the land they are on is needed for low-cost housing for the N2 Gateway project.
They are to be moved to alternative accommodation, in similar galvanised iron-and-pole structures, at another TRA just over half a kilometre away.
Postponement
Judge Dumisani Zondi granted a week-long postponement for another group, of 26 householders who were in court but did not have a lawyer.
He warned them that the postponement was final, and that the hearing would go ahead on March 17 "with or without legal representation".
Madikizela originally sought to evict 63 households, but the number dropped when some moved voluntarily to the alternate TRA.
His counsel, Karrisha Pillay, told Zondi that regardless of the complex issue of waiting lists, none of the 26 were entitled to the homes, either because they were in the TRA illegally, or because they earned too much.
She said the contractor was supposed to have taken vacant occupation of the land on February 4.
Costs
The province was "potentially" liable for costs of R83 000 for each day of delay.
A spokesperson for the 26 families, Eric Gqozo, told Sapa that they were moved from the Joe Slovo informal settlement in July 2006, with a promise of permanent homes.
"We (have been) staying in temporary houses for more than three years now."
"They say we must move to other temporary houses. But they promised us we are going to stay in these temporary houses for three to six months."
The families were willing to move if it was to proper homes, he said.
"They can't evict us."
- SAPA