Cape mulls a fence around District Six

Cape Town-160202 - Evictions on District 6 land, earmarked for land claimants saw squatter's building materials being confiscated. The residents however were left to stay on the fields-Photographer-Tracey Adams

Cape Town-160202 - Evictions on District 6 land, earmarked for land claimants saw squatter's building materials being confiscated. The residents however were left to stay on the fields-Photographer-Tracey Adams

Published Feb 5, 2016

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Cape Town - The City of Cape Town is investigating whether the parts of land in District Six occupied by the homeless can be fenced off in an effort to protect it from further invasion. City law enforcement and the Anti-Land Invasion Unit had removed 41 makeshift structures from the vacant land on Tuesday .

Metro police chief Wayne le Roux said the piece of land was monitored by various law enforcement agencies. “The city is investigating whether this area can be fenced off and whether notice boards can be placed that prominently display that trespassing is prohibited, in an effort to protect this land.”

Le Roux said that, in the meantime, continual interventions were needed to minimise the ongoing illegal erection of structures. “Currently, up to four operations are conducted per month.”

Next Thursday, February 11, marks the day when more than 60 000 people were evicted from District Six. Many have been waiting decades to return. But the process has been slow and dozens of people have been squatting on the land over the past 15 or more years.

When the Cape Argus visited the area this week, most people declined to be interviewed or even come out from their shelters.

One man, who said his name was “Promise Fox”, said law enforcement came most weeks to remove plastic and blankets. He said he was from Pretoria and had been squatting in District Six for around six years. Fox said he was 24 and lived in the shelter with his girlfriend.

Shahied Ajam, chairman of the District Six Working Committee, said the homeless seemed to have more rights than legitimate claimants who were dying to come back. “Some of them have underground tunnels and the local government turns a blind eye.”

He said they would be collaborating with the District Six Museum to mark the anniversary with a series of tributes and vigils. “We would like to encourage all people who demand restoration of their rights and land, to come to District 6 on February 11 and join in a vigil with placards and boards depicting the name of the area and street they previously lived or visited.”

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