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The court battle between the city of Cape Town and the residents who have been busy at the former South African National Circus School at the Observatory
- Both parties must return to the court on the 31st March.
- Since 2018, residents occupying the site have received eviction notices.
- The city of Cape Town intends to use the land for recreational purposes.
The court battle between the city of Cape Town and the residents occupying the former South African National Circus School at the Observatory, Cape Town, has reached another dead end.
On Tuesday, the matter was heard in Cape Town Magistrates Court.
The City is trying to evict the residents, but the matter has been postponed again.
It was postponed because the City filed a housing report in the founding affidavit at the last minute.
The residents’ attorney, Tim Dunn, said:
We have filed a request with the court to remove the City’s housing report that was submitted in the response affidavit, which means that residents have not had a chance to deal with the matter. We say that this is irregular and that the housing report should be crossed out.
Both parties must return to court on March 31.
“The City indicated in its housing report that there is no alternative housing for the residents and they would basically have to be dumped into some squatter camp,” Dunn said.
SEE | The occupants of Cape Town’s abandoned circus school pledge with the city to rent or buy land
Since 2018, residents occupying the site have received eviction notices from the City, which intends to use the land for sports and recreational activities.
The former founder of the South African National Circus School, Dimitri Slaverse, allegedly illegally sublet the property, which belongs to the City, in 2016.
According to the housing report presented by the City, you face a great challenge regarding the provision of emergency housing because there has been a large increase in the number of emergency housing circumstances.
“As a result of this, the City’s resources have been stretched to the limit with respect to the provision of emergency shelter. However, the City has taken steps within its available resources to address emergency circumstances.
“The City will make every effort to find emergency shelter for residents by integrating them into existing informal settlements,” the City said in court documents.
The mayor’s committee member for health and community services, Zahid Badroodien, said: “The additional delay in this matter before the courts continues to affect the City’s ability to maintain and develop multi-code sports facilities, which serve a large and diverse community. The longer this matter is delayed, the more neglected the facility will be. “
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