CoCT will no longer allow the illegal occupation of public spaces - Hill-Lewis

CAPE TOWN - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that the city would no longer allow illegal occupation of public spaces.

This follows Friday’s eviction of over 120 people squatting outside the Castle of Good Hope.

Hill-Lewis said that evicting people illegally occupying government-owned property had been challenging due to legal complexities.

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He added that government departments had also been slow to respond to requests for the eviction of illegal occupiers.

However, the mayor said that the evictees from the Castle were treated with dignity during the process.

"They were allowed to identify personal belongings, those what we call bags and tents, we store those for them at our city store in Ndabeni and they can collect at any time. If they want to take it with them, of course, they are welcome to take it with them. We offered free transport to any place they want to go, to family homes, and we take their belongings along with them."