The Joe Slovo task team is ready to return to court later this week and has confirmed that it will be in court with its lawyer on Thursday.
Task team member Mayenzeke Sopaqa told the Cape Argus that community representatives had contacted the Legal Resource Centre, which would assist with legal representation.
The resource centre's housing lawyer, Steve Kohanovitz, said he would not engage with the media at this stage.
He would not confirm if the centre would be assisting the Joe Slovo residents.
Sopaqa said residents were preparing for Thursday's court appearance.
He said the task team would meet the lawyers and would then report back to the estimated 3,000 concerned parties.
Task team chairman Sifiso Mapasa said on Sunday that they had a lawyer but would not reveal further details about whether they had had any meetings with their legal counsel or disclose any further information.
He said: "We have a lawyer and we will be in court in Thursday with our lawyer there."
Last Wednesday about 1,500 residents of the threatened Joe Slovo informal settlement arrived at the Cape High Court to oppose an eviction application.
National Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, with Western Cape Housing MEC Richard Dyantyi and housing management company Thubelisha Homes, has applied to the court to have the estimated 4,500 residents of Joe Slovo evicted.
The government intends to move them to temporary houses in Delft, to continue with the next phase of the N2 Gateway Project.
But the community's actions have shown that they are not only reluctant to move, but will put up a fight.
"We believe that our chances are good, especially if you look at how many people are opposed to this move," said Sopaqa.
He added: "How can you stay on land for 14 years and then be moved?"
Last week outside the Cape High Court, Housing director-general Itumeleng Kotsoane had told media that a move to Delft would be "in the best interests" of the Joe Slovo community.
"There is as much opportunity to get jobs in Delft as anywhere else."
Kotsoane said the Bellville business district could provide employment opportunities for those who had been moved to Delft.
He said a minority of community members were stirring emotions in the group.
"Some of those who don't want to move don't qualify for RDP (free) housing.
"They are stirring emotions in the community," he said. - Cape Argus
Task team member Mayenzeke Sopaqa told the Cape Argus that community representatives had contacted the Legal Resource Centre, which would assist with legal representation.
The resource centre's housing lawyer, Steve Kohanovitz, said he would not engage with the media at this stage.
| 'We have a lawyer and we will be in court in Thursday' |
Sopaqa said residents were preparing for Thursday's court appearance.
He said the task team would meet the lawyers and would then report back to the estimated 3,000 concerned parties.
Task team chairman Sifiso Mapasa said on Sunday that they had a lawyer but would not reveal further details about whether they had had any meetings with their legal counsel or disclose any further information.
He said: "We have a lawyer and we will be in court in Thursday with our lawyer there."
| 'How can you stay on land for 14 years and then be moved?' |
National Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, with Western Cape Housing MEC Richard Dyantyi and housing management company Thubelisha Homes, has applied to the court to have the estimated 4,500 residents of Joe Slovo evicted.
The government intends to move them to temporary houses in Delft, to continue with the next phase of the N2 Gateway Project.
But the community's actions have shown that they are not only reluctant to move, but will put up a fight.
"We believe that our chances are good, especially if you look at how many people are opposed to this move," said Sopaqa.
He added: "How can you stay on land for 14 years and then be moved?"
Last week outside the Cape High Court, Housing director-general Itumeleng Kotsoane had told media that a move to Delft would be "in the best interests" of the Joe Slovo community.
"There is as much opportunity to get jobs in Delft as anywhere else."
Kotsoane said the Bellville business district could provide employment opportunities for those who had been moved to Delft.
He said a minority of community members were stirring emotions in the group.
"Some of those who don't want to move don't qualify for RDP (free) housing.
"They are stirring emotions in the community," he said. - Cape Argus
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