Castle of Good Hope finally free of squatters

The sheriff of the court, backed by Cape Town’s law enforcement, commenced the eviction of a homeless encampment outside the Castle of Good Hope, bringing an end to a longstanding occupation on one of South Africa’s most prominent historical sites. The Western Cape High Court had granted the eviction order to the Department of Public Works in September, giving residents until mid-October to vacate the area.

Cape Town’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, welcomed the development, describing the eviction as a “positive milestone” for the city. “This has been a highly visible symbol of urban decay, and its restoration marks an important step forward,” he commented. Hill-Lewis also praised the Department of Public Works for its focused attention on the issue in recent months.

The operation began early Friday, with a strong police presence and machinery ready to dismantle the makeshift shelters that had emerged during the Covid-19 lockdown. Some residents accepted transport to Safe Space shelters provided by the City, while others gathered their belongings as bulldozers cleared the area. The scene was tense, with people pleading for more time to salvage personal items and police cordoning off the vicinity.

While traffic was halted as officers closed off sections of the road for the operation, authorities ensured that any unclaimed personal effects were catalogued and stored by the City. The mayor noted that the eviction was conducted in an orderly manner, with city social workers on-site to record the names of those needing further assistance.

The Castle of Good Hope, which has seen its historical significance overshadowed by this prolonged encampment, announced that it would erect fencing around the premises to prevent future occupations.

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