GOOD Statement by Jonathan Cupido
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
10 July 2024
SALE OF SHELLEY ROAD HOUSES: GOOD SUBMITS MOTION FOR LETTERS TO RESIDENTS TO BE RETRACTED
GOOD has submitted a motion to Council calling for the City of Cape Town to retract letters sent to Shelley Road residents, demanding that they vacate their homes or informing them of the cancellation of their lease agreements.
The residents in Salt River received notices from the City of Cape Town late last month informing them that their tenancy and leases might be terminated due to the intention to sell the houses.
Some residents of Shelly Road have lived in these houses for up to 40 years.
Following the letters, GOOD communicated with the City to determine the legality of the possible evictions and termination of the lease agreements.
It has been uncovered that these houses were still under the control of the Property Transactions Department even though they are being used for housing purposes, not business.
The question therefore arose as to why they were never transferred from Property Transactions Department to Human Settlement for management of the tenants.
Aside from the above issue, GOOD also contends that the correct process for the disposal of these houses has not been followed.
The residents were not properly consulted nor were they given the first option to purchase or in appropriate cases get a transfer of the homes.
There was also no public participation process related to the sale and it has not yet been before council for approval.
GOOD therefore calls on the City to ensure a fair and correct process regarding the sale is followed, and that the notification of termination and vacation is immediately retracted.
Media Enquiries:
Jonathan Cupido, GOOD: City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 084 865 8122
Email: jonathanc@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za