Housing activists demonstrate for 'advancement of spatial justice' outside Winde's official residence

CAPE TOWN - Housing activists, Reclaim The City, say the protest outside Western Cape Premier Alan Winde's official residence, Leeuwenhof, on Sunday night was to highlight concerns about a "housing crisis" in the province.

Public order police had to intervene to prevent about 200 protestors from entering the premises.

The head of political organising at Ndifuna Ukwazi, Buhle Booi, said the protesters gathered to question Winde about the "advancement of spatial justice".

"We've been saying for years that the site of Tafelberg must be released to build social housing. The site could yield about 270 housing units that could benefit the working class of Sea Point. The people that keep the city clean."  

Booi said Reclaim the city acknowledges that the provincial government is making headway.

"We recognise that there is some progress that has been made... and we are saying that there's just a whole lot more that needs to be done in terms of trying to reduce the crises that we have in the Western Cape."  

Winde's office says the premier has always tried to engage with the activists in the interest of residents who remain on a housing waiting list.