Salt River market families told to leave

Marina Harris, 76, is one of the oldest residents at the stables next to the Salt River Market. Photos: Matthew Hirsch

People living in an informal settlement at the former horse stables next to the Salt River Market have been given two weeks notice to vacate the property by the City of Cape Town.

The relocation of residents is one of the last hurdles before social housing can be built at the site. A land sale agreement was concluded in 2022 between the City and social housing institute Communicare, which hopes to start construction in August or September.

The plan is to build 300 social housing units on the 1.7-hectare property, as well as 670 homes for rental on the open market. There will also be retail space. Heritage approval has been granted, and funding from the Social Housing Regulatory Authority has been secured.

While some people have been relocated to the newly upgraded Ghost Town informal settlement near the Maitland cemetery, about 21 households have stayed. Some of those who moved to Ghost Town have moved back, citing safety concerns.

According to the notice to vacate, residents can take up the City’s offer for transport to and space at Ghost Town until 14 April. Should they refuse to move out, the municipality will probably have to go to court to apply for an eviction order.

About 21 households living at the informal settlement at the old stables next to the Salt River Market have been told to vacate the property.

GroundUp visited the stables on Sunday. Residents use portable toilets and share a single tap. Children were playing on the property. We were told that last week Red Ants security personnel were at the site monitoring the area.

Marina Harris is 76 years old – one of the oldest residents still living at the stables. She said she moved there after becoming homeless.

“I grew up here in Salt River, I got married there, and had my children. I was homeless, and I came to stay here,” she said.

Harris said her main concern with relocating to Ghost Town is the safety of the children. “They’re safe here. Everybody knows them, and they watch the little ones,” she said. “The gangsters don’t run in here and start shooting like they do over there.”

Natasha Deane has been living at the site for more than ten years. She said the residents had formed a committee to engage with city officials but safety concerns had not been addressed after several meetings. She said the residents want to stay in Salt River.

She added that most of the children living at the stables were in primary school, within walking distance. If the families moved to Maitland, “how are they going to get their children to school?” she asked.

In response to questions, Carl Pophaim, Mayco member for Human Settlements, said there was no “feasible unreserved City-owned land available in this immediate area”, and the Maitland site is approximately 4.6km away from the Salt River Market.

Asked about the presence of Red Ants on the site last week, he said the “security agency is there to help secure the City-owned site, to help City staff working on the site, and to prevent further unlawful occupation.”

Popham said the City is aware of the safety concerns at Ghost Town, and a draft safety plan has been formulated.

“SAPS is the responsible authority for policing and will collaborate closely with City Law Enforcement to ensure security concerns are addressed. At this stage, there are no other options besides Ghost Town where the residents can move to,” he said.

Residents say the settlement is better located and safer than the alternative accommodation they have been offered in Maitland.

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