WC govt welcomes SCA ruling on Tafelberg site development
The ruling follows a lengthy court battle after housing activists Reclaim the City hauled the provincial government before the courts for selling the land in 2015, instead of using it for social housing.
Picture: Pixabay.com
CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape government welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal's ruling that allows the administration to continue redeveloping the Tafelberg school site in Sea Point.
The ruling follows a lengthy court battle after housing activists, Reclaim the City, hauled the provincial government before the courts for selling the land in 2015, instead of using it for social housing.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the judgment showed that the provincial government acted lawfully to redevelop the land.
Winde also urged Reclaim the City to join the province in condemning the illegal occupation of other properties in Cape Town.
"Because we really want to make sure we use these for what we have earmarked them for and that is for housing opportunities specifically in the central city and in other areas where we can create opportunity."
Attorney for Reclaim the City, Disha Govender, said they are disappointed with the outcome.
"We are still digesting the judgment which upholds the province and the city's appeal and are considering appealing it to the constitutional court. it must be emphasized that the SCA's judgment does not change the fact that the sale of the Tafelberg site was set aside, and we reiterate our call for the province to develop the site for social housing."
Winde has assured the public that the Western Cape government is committed to achieving spatial redress in the province.