Cape Town - Sanral needs to comply with statutory processes before it can move evicted families onto new land in Cape Town, mayor Patricia de Lille said on Monday.
“In this particular instance, there would be a need for rezoning approval and for an environmental assessment,” she said.
“Included within these processes would be the related requirement for some form of public participation.”
Some 846 families were evicted from the SA National Roads Agency Limited's (Sanral) land in Lwandle, near Strand, a week ago.
Following an uproar from many sectors of society, Sanral proposed to move the families to other land it owned as a more permanent solution.
De Lille wrote to Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Monday to ask for an urgent meeting with department officials and Sanral.
“The need for this meeting has been made even more urgent by reports today 1/8Monday 3/8 that people are being bussed to an alternative Sanral-owned land parcel in the Blackheath area.”
Blackheath is a largely established residential area.
De Lille said once the necessary legal and land use approvals had been granted, she would be able to provide emergency housing kits to the evictees.
“If these processes are ignored, then it is only likely that a new set of problems will be created in relation to this matter and the rights of all those involved will be undermined.”
Residents of the area were reportedly outraged at the arrival of the families.
Western Cape police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk said police officers and other law enforcement officials were on the scene.
“There were no incidents reported of any violence,” he said.
Sisulu's spokesman Ndivhuwo Mabaya said she would be able to comment after a meeting on the matter later on Monday.
- Sapa
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