Housing activists concerned about looming evictions of Irene Grootboom House occupants

CAPE TOWN - Housing activists Ndifuna Ukwazi will be joining occupants of Irene Grootboom House outside the Western Cape High Court on Thursday to express concern about looming evictions.

Ndifuna Ukwazi organiser, Lorenzo Johnson, said the Department of Public Works will attempt to forcibly evict about 40 families from the property on Thursday after the site in Darling Street was deemed unsafe for occupation.

Johnson said the occupants would detail their unlawful eviction struggle and expose government's failure to provide alternative housing.

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He said the organisation would also demand constitutional protections against homelessness.

"Our hope is that there's no real evidence to show that there's imminent danger to the families who are living there currently, so that the urgent eviction process can be stopped."

According to reports, the Department of Public Works has indicated the building will likely be demolished as it is not fit for human occupation.