CAPE TOWN - Families from a small “forgotten” informal settlement on the outskirts of the Epping Market are shattered at the thought of having to leave the place they’ve called home for over two decades, after the City was granted an eviction order to have them removed.
The families who said they were going to be moved to Kampies near Uitsig, were provided with building materials including a door and a window as per the court order.
They’e also raised concern over why a wall was being erected around them.
The City however told the Cape Times on Monday, while the eviction order was granted “no eviction is taking place”.
Father of four, 52-year-old David Williams said: “We don’t want to move anywhere. We have lived here for over 27 years with no municipal services, but we were happy living here in peace. We are close to the Cape Town market and that place is our livelihood, that is how we support our families. We don’t want to move. It is not right to force us, my heart is here, my life is here, my community is here and this is where we will stay.”
Another resident, Nazier Ogle, 31, added that he was feeling unhappy and anxious at the thought of having to leave.
“They are putting up a vibracrete wall now, my question is what are they going to do with this land here? We are living here for a very long time and nobody bothered with us, including the City. We sell our fruit at the market and feed our families, we make things work for us here. All of a sudden they want us out, it does not make sense to me,” said the father of three.
Land Party ward candidate, Lana Van Der Berg said: “Approximately 100 families have been living here for the past 27 years under inhumane conditions with no water, electricity or sanitation and the City has refused to allocate them decent housing in the Thornton Area. Instead, the City wants to dump them in the unhealthy and crime ridden area in Uitsig on the outskirts of Cape Town.”
Meanwhile City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said no eviction was taking place.
“The City has an eviction order that was granted by the court last year but no eviction is taking place. The opportunity to formally re-house the informal dwellers is being looked at by a task team which includes the CT Market, City of Cape Town, and Epping Paradise Traders Association and all the parties (29 respondents) included in the eviction order granted by the Court last year.”
Tyhalibongo added that the wall was to improve the area.
“The opportunity to wall and improve the area has come about as part of the interim implementation plan regarding the relocation of the traders to the new market facility currently being constructed within the CT Market precinct.
“The informally occupied area was previously allocated for informal trading purposes. It is demarcated as a road reserve as such no permanent structures and or services may be erected thereon.
“The City is mindful that this community forms part of the fresh produce value chain and contribute to the economy by means of their historical employment associated with the traders market.”
Cape Times