CAPE TOWN. – In a coordinated effort led by the Sheriff of the Court with the assistance of SAPS and Cape Town Metro Police, the eviction of unlawful occupants from the historic Castle of Good Hope was successfully completed this morning.
This operation marks a significant step in the City of Cape Town’s ongoing efforts to restore the city’s heritage sites and address urban decay.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed support for the eviction, noting its benefits for both the Castle, as a landmark of historical importance and the community. “The City of Cape Town welcomes this positive milestone. It is positive for the whole city, positive for this heritage site, and positive for those who were living in indignity at this site for several years,” said Hill-Lewis. “We also appreciate the urgent attention this matter has received from the custodian of the Castle, the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.”
Authorities report that the process was orderly and well-coordinated, with all unclaimed personal items being documented and stored at the City’s Ndabeni storage facility. Social development professionals from the City worked with the national DPW to assess the personal circumstances of each occupant and provided options for transitional shelter through the City’s Safe Spaces and NGO-operated night shelters. These transitional spaces are part of the City’s broader social support strategy to help individuals transition off the streets sustainably. Services include mental health and substance abuse referrals, personal development planning, and job opportunities.
“The unlawful occupation began during the national lockdown, and we are relieved it has come to an end,” Hill-Lewis added. “Accepting social assistance to get off the streets is the best choice for dignity, health, and well-being. No person has the right to reserve a public space as exclusively theirs, while indefinitely refusing all offers of shelter and social assistance.”
The eviction at the Castle follows the City’s continued efforts to clear unlawful occupation sites in Cape Town’s CBD and surrounds, including high-profile locations like the Buitengracht Street, FW De Klerk Boulevard, and Helen Suzman Boulevard. Similar evictions at other sites in central Cape Town, including the Green Point Tennis Courts and Christiaan Barnard Bridge, have been conducted in recent months to restore these spaces for public use.
Expansion of safe spaces for dignified transitional shelter
The City’s commitment to addressing homelessness includes a substantial investment of over R220 million to expand and operate its Safe Space facilities over the next three years. The City currently operates Safe Spaces in areas like Culemborg, providing shelter and support to over 1,070 individuals. Plans for additional facilities, such as a new center in Muizenberg, reflect Cape Town’s aim to increase capacity and assist a larger portion of the city’s vulnerable population.
Safe Spaces offer a comprehensive support system, including:
- dignified shelter with ablution facilities,
- two daily meals,
- on-site social worker support,
- personal development and skills training programs,
- job placement assistance through the Expanded Public Works Programme, and
- substance and alcohol abuse treatment through the Matrix programme, boasting an 83% success rate.
Annually, the City assists around 3,500 individuals through shelter placements or referrals to various social services. In the past year, this included 2,246 shelter placements, 112 family reunifications, 1,124 social services referrals, and over 880 short-term work opportunities.
This multi-layered approach not only provides shelter but aims to give individuals the tools for a stable life. The eviction and restoration of the Castle of Good Hope serve as a visible reminder of Cape Town’s efforts to address urban decay and improve the city’s social support systems, striving to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents.
