Cape Town - Plumstead and Wynberg residents held an emotional candlelight vigil on Sunday night in solidarity with 26 families facing eviction now that the leases of their council houses have come to an end.
This just hours after the City of Cape Town confirmed that it would proceed with the “appropriate legal action” against tenants who refuse to move out of their homes that are to be demolished to make way for MyCiTi infrastructure.
Twenty-six tenants were given notice in last September that their leases would come to an end on January 31.
But after a massive public outcry and several public meetings, the city announced last week that it would offer eight tenants, who were in good standing with the municipality, alternative accommodation.
Brett Herron, mayoral committee member for Transport for Cape Town, said the 18 other tenants would have been ousted from their homes, regardless of the MyCiTi project, because they owe a combined R4.5 million in unpaid accounts.
Of the eight who were offered alternative accommodation in Wynberg, Lakeside and Grassy Park, two had accepted, four had yet to respond and one had refused the offer in writing, Herron said.
Officials were still trying to get hold of the eighth tenant who was eligible for the offer.
But the tenants, who belong to the South Road Families Association insisted on Sunday that none of their members would accept the city’s offer.
They have described the city’s olive branch as “an insult to their intelligence” as the alternative houses are also in road reserves. This meant that there was a good chance they would have to move again.
Tenants of the South Road Families’ Association are adamant that they would not accept any alternatives and that they would stand together and fight the proposed MyCiTi route and demolition of houses.
Residents, who have been blacklisted by the city for nonpayment, alleged that they had made arrangements in writing to settle the arrears.
This could not be confirmed by the city.
Herron said the city would negotiate an extension of the current leases of those tenants who agreed to move.
“The new leases will be valid until such time as the official relocation process has been concluded.”
Meanwhile, ANC MPL Cameron Dugmore has urged the standing committee on transport and public works to invite the city and members of the South Road Families Association, Wynberg Ratepayers and Residents Association and Wynberg Taxi Association to Tuesday’s meeting to provide an update of the Lansdowne/Wetton Road corridor proposal.
“I have very serious concerns about the alleged failure to consult communities in good faith about the proposed routes,” said Dugmore in his letter to Lennit Max, the chairman of the standing committee.
“I believe that our standing committee requires full information on this matter as it is crucial to the future of public transport in the City of Cape Town.”
Cape Argus