17 April 2020 – Media Statement: Western Cape High Court affirms Empolweni residents’ right to stay on land

Media Statement

17 April 2020

Western Cape High Court affirms Empolweni residents’ right to stay on land

CAPE TOWN – The Legal Resources Centre welcomes today’s order by the Western Cape High Court that the
City of Cape Town’s evictions of people from, and the demolition of their homes, in Empolweni, Makhaza are
unlawful and undermine lockdown regulations.

The court has also ordered the return of all building material confiscated by the city in carrying out the
demolitions that took place on the 9th and 11th of April to Empolweni residents by 12 PM on Monday, 20th April. The residents – the 49 households that served as applicants in this matter – were further given permission to rebuild
their homes by the court.

“I am relieved that we no longer have to sleep outside in the cold with our children. We will finally have a chance
to get proper sleep. Our building materials are coming back and we can protect ourselves from the CoVid-19
virus. Now we can take care of our families and be able to home-school our children while schools remain
closed. I wish basic services such as toilets and water could also be provided to us soon.” said Empolweni
community Leader, Nozakuthini Batyi.

For more information, please contact:
Attorney of Record: Anneline Turpin and Khensani Motileni via email on anneline@lrc.org.za /
khensani@lrc.org.za.