Cape Town auctions public land for R135 million amid a “no” from the public

Civil society organisations and the the GOOD Party held a “Hands off our lands” protest outside the Good Hope Centre on 25 February 2026. The protest was directed at the City of Cape Town’s auction of more than 50 public land parcels across the metropolitan area.

The properties included the Good Hope Centre precinct and sites in Mitchells Plain, Atlantis, Parow and Goodwood. The auction took place on 26 February. The Good Hope Centre was sold for R135 million.

The City stated that the disposals formed part of its asset management strategy. According to the administration, the objective was to release underutilised land, generate revenue and enable development.

Opposition groups argued that the sales prioritised short term revenue over long term public benefit. They stated that there had been insufficient public consultation before the auction.

Protest organisers marched from the Good Hope Centre to the Western Cape High Court. They called for greater transparency and sought legal clarity on the City’s obligations regarding public participation.

The Oedasoa Cochoqua Royal Kingdom called for the creation of a formal land forum. The group argued that communities had not been adequately included in decisions concerning the sale of land.

The episode reflected broader tensions over how public land was allocated in Cape Town.