The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) views the City of Cape Town’s decision to relocate residents from Salt River Bridge to the informal settlement known as Ghost Town, located at the Maitland Cemetery, as a symptom of the city’s failed spatial planning policy.
The party supports the objections raised by the Kensington and Factreton Residents and Ratepayers Association (Ken-Fac) against the relocation of these residents.
Ghost Town emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic when the City of Cape Town put up tents to accommodate homeless individuals from the city centre. The tents were left in place, leading to the erection of informal structures around them.
This plan was clearly not well thought through.
The “Ghost Town” relocation plan is not a housing solution; it endorses the concept of illegal squatting in the city.
It is, furthermore, unacceptable that there was no public participation process allowing Kensington and Factreton residents the opportunity to voice their objections and concerns regarding the relocation.
Law-abiding and loyal ratepayers are now being punished while illegal land occupations are rewarded.
The City of Cape Town’s current approach to housing and spatial development is unsustainable and unjust.
If Cape Town is serious about addressing housing issues and maintaining order, the Metro has to prevent new illegal occupations, urgently provide housing to those on the waiting list and identify suitable locations for more housing.
There is a significant amount of land owned by the City of Cape Town that could be earmarked for mixed-use housing developments.
The City of Cape Town’s current strategy will not solve the Metro’s housing problems.
The Freedom Front Plus is strongly opposed to this relocation as well as the formal recognition of “Ghost Town” as yet another informal settlement.
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