Latest news:

Fidelity fire service is unlawful, says City of Cape Town

But Fidelity says it is “confident that no existing laws prohibit or restrict” its private service

by Liezl Human

The recently launched private firefighting service by Fidelity ADT is “unlawful”, and no agreement is in place for it to operate in Cape Town, says the City’s Fire and Rescue Service.… Read more

Darling Street eviction case postponed, again

Department of Public Works are to discuss alternative accommodation options with the City.

People living in the dilapidated state-owned building at 104 Darling Street remain in limbo as their urgent eviction case was once again postponed in June.

The building is owned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, which is seeking to evict the residents, who number about 30.… Read more

Social housing at Salt River Market takes one step forward

Heritage body gives the go-ahead for the planned development, but funding is uncertain and informal settlement residents still need to be relocated

The development of social housing at Cape Town’s historic Salt River Market is a step closer to fruition after a required Heritage Impact Assessment was approved earlier this month.… Read more

Homeless in Hope Street: Park occupiers fight for suitable accommodation

The City is trying to move them to its Safe Spaces, but lawyers argue they deny people their rights to privacy, dignity, and freedom of movement.

An attempt to evict dozens of people living in and around Hope Street Park in lower Gardens is before the High Court, with the park occupiers arguing the City’s Safe Spaces are not suitable as alternative accommodation.… Read more

Silent Sea Point march for Gaza

Israel has blocked food from entering Gaza and killed more than 200 people at distribution points

By Matthew Hirsch

Several hundred people, mostly women, walked in silence along the Sea Point promenade on Saturday to show solidarity with people in Gaza.… Read more

Police torture in Mowbray – case document goes missing

Lawyers are reprimanded by magistrate

By Mary-Anne Gontsana/GroundUp

One of the three police officers on trial for assaulting a man during a raid at a Mowbray barbershop in 2023 intends to plead guilty to the charge of torture. However, proceedings could not continue at the Wynberg Regional Court on Thursday because the officer’s plea proposal had gone missing.… Read more

Mayor gives green light to controversial Bo-Kaap hotel

“Consensus” reached after exhaustive engagement process, says Geordin Hill-Lewis

Construction of a hotel on a vacant plot in the Bo-Kaap in Cape Town is to go ahead, but it will be three storeys lower than the original plan.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has confirmed the decision by the City of Cape Town’s Municipal Planning Tribunal to approve the development on Buitengracht Street.… Read more

Tafelberg housing plan revealed

Western Cape Government plans combination of social, affordable, and high-end housing units

The Western Cape Provincial Government has revealed its plans to build affordable and social housing at the long-contested Tafelberg site in Sea Point.

During a public meeting at the Life Conference Centre in Sea Point on Wednesday evening, three options were presented.… Read more

Hundreds mark Nakba Day at Castle of Good Hope

Pro-Palestine activists call for permanent ceasefire

The Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town was a sea of red, white, green and black on Sunday as hundreds of people gathered to commemorate the 77th anniversary of Nakba Day. The rally was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).… Read more