Court gives WC govt green light to redevelop Tafelberg school site in Sea Point

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape government has on Friday been granted a victory in court to continue redeveloping the Tafelberg school site in Sea Point.

This follows a lengthy court battle between Reclaim the City and the provincial government, which sold the land in 2015 instead of using it for social housing.

After Reclaim the City opted to take the legal route, the Western Cape High Court halted the sale of the property and ordered the province and the City of Cape Town to "address the legacy of apartheid spatial planning in Cape Town".

The provincial government then appealed the high court ruling last year.

But the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the Western Cape government's appeal and dismissed a ruling made by the Western Cape High Court last year.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde welcomed the judgement, saying it confirms processes followed by the Western Cape government were lawful.

"Incitement to illegally invade property for any reason, including land that is already earmarked for social housing, must come to an end. And we, therefore, call on Reclaim the City to join us in condemning the illegal occupation of other properties like this - which have been earmarked for affordable housing."

Lawyers for Reclaim the City are considering appealing a decision that allows the Western Cape government to continue redeveloping the Tafelberg school site in Sea Point.

Attorney Disha Govender, who is representing Reclaim the City, says they are still digesting the judgement before making a final decision on appealing it.

"It must be emphasised that the SCA's [Supreme Court of Appea] judgement does not change the fact that the sale of Tafelberg site was set aside and is available to be used, and we reiterate our call for the province to develop the site for social housing."