Court dismisses bids to block City of Cape Town from auctioning public land

The Western Cape High Court has dismissed two urgent applications to block the City of Cape Town from auctioning 50 sites of public land.

On Tuesday, land activists joined hands with civil society organisations and traditional landowners in a protest in the Cape Town’s CBD.

Citing poor public participation, the collective hauled the city before court to halt the auction, which is now set to go ahead on Thursday.

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City Mayco Member for Economic Growth James Vos said the city welcomes the court's decision.

"This land will unlock real economic and social value for the people of Cape Town. From the beginning we've said our process is lawful and transparent."

Leader of the Land Party Gcobani Ndzongana said the collective will approach the court again to halt the auction.

"Definitely, they will institute a legal action to make sure that this matter is properly, by all means necessary, is being prevented. That this land... the land dispossession is not happening during the time of democracy."