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- Plans to erect a multi-purpose sport and recreation facility at the tennis court site in Green Point can now go ahead following the eviction of a group of people who illegally occupied the site known as Tent City.
- In December last year, the Western Cape High Court granted a final eviction order in the City’s application regarding the unlawful occupation.
- The order included a standing interdict against any further unlawful occupation at the courts and further city-owned public spaces identified in the order.
Plans to erect a multi-purpose sport and recreation facility at the tennis court site in Green Point can now go ahead following the eviction of a group of people who illegally occupied the site known as Tent City.
In December last year, the Western Cape High Court granted a final eviction order in the City’s application regarding the unlawful occupation.
The order included a standing interdict against any further unlawful occupation at the courts and further city-owned public spaces identified in the order.
While some occupiers relocated voluntarily, the remaining group was evicted by the sheriff of the High Court on Thursday 22 February.
Anthony Loubser, a businessman, leasing the tennis court, said they are relieved that plans can proceed.
“We are pleased that we can now attend to the fulfillment of our lease and tender conditions. The presence of tent city has caused us direct and indirect loss and prevented us from conducting our business.”
He said as per their tender and lease conditions, a multi-purpose sport and recreation facility will be erected there.
“We need to submit plans containing precise details and those plans are being drafted at the moment.”
According to Loubser, plans for the first phase were submitted on Friday 8 March and work will commence once the city gives the go-ahead.
“The first phase (the erection of padel courts) is expected to be completed by the end of April. Phase 2 still awaits plan development and approval before we can cost it.”
Jane Meyer, co-ordinator of the Mouille Point Ratepayers’ Association, said: “Finally, the leaseholder can now use the site as intended and as per the lease agreement.”
Nicola Jowell, Ward 54 councillor, added that public land is there for the public to use and cannot be used for alienation from the public due to illegal occupation.
Jowell said sporting facilities are always in high demand in the area as it is the events and sporting precinct for the city of Cape Town.
“With high demand on existing facilities. There will also be parts of the property available for open public use and enjoyment so it will add value to the greater Cape Town community and not just the residents.”
The City of Cape Town said in a press statement it is awaiting the High Court’s imminent ruling on a final eviction order for various homeless encampment sites in the CBD, including along Buitengracht Street, FW De Klerk Boulevard, Foregate Square, taxi rank and Foreshore, Helen Suzman Boulevard, Strand Street, Foreshore/N1, Virginia Avenue and Mill Street Bridge in the city.
In a separate case last month, the High Court granted eviction orders in the City’s application regarding the unlawful occupation at the various road reserves and bridges around Culemborg in the Cape Town CBD.
“These areas are in the vicinity of the Nelson Mandela Boulevard intersection with Hertzog Boulevard, Old Marine Drive, and Christiaan Barnard Bridge. The order permits the Sheriff of the court to evict any remaining unlawful occupants if needed after 14 March,” read the statement.
The court also granted a final eviction order in the City’s application regarding the unlawful occupation of certain erven adjacent to Victoria Road and Kloof Road in Camps Bay. The Sheriff will conduct an eviction of any remaining unlawful occupants soon.
