Cape Argus

Families challenge Noordhoek eviction

- Rusana Philander

TWENTY people from Noordhoek in Chapman’s Peak are facing eviction after a new owner bought the land.

Marilyn Morkel, whose family have been living there for 30 years, said they had been told by the owner that she had brought a court applicatio­n to evict them.

“We have since filed court papers to oppose the eviction,” she said. “All the families staying here have nowhere else to go.

“All of us have lived our entire lives here. My parents used to work for Mr Japie de Villiers, the previous owner. Before he died, he said we could stay.

“The new owner, Judith Anne Sole, wants to build a new building on this land. She has said she will build us new homes a few metres from here, but nothing has come of it.”

Beryldene Herman said she was born on the property. “I am 29. I have spent my life here. We love this place, but we will move if we get another house,” she said.

In court papers filed at the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court, ole asked the court to evict the families.

She said: “This is an applicatio­n for the eviction of all the respondent­s and all the persons who occupy the property with them or through them and for the removal of all their belongings.”

One of the houses caught fire and she was ordered by the municipali­ty to demolish it.

“I gave notice to the respondent and he said he would sit in the building to prevent it being demolished…

“I tried to find them accommodat­ion. When I contacted the housing department of the City of Cape Town, I was told respondent­s should apply to have their names on a waiting list, and that they are dealing with a backlog to 1994.”

 ?? PICTURE: RUSANA PHILANDER ?? TAKING A STAND: Marilyn Morkel, Beryldene Herman, her son Blessing and Cecil Morkel at their contested Chapman’s Peak house.
PICTURE: RUSANA PHILANDER TAKING A STAND: Marilyn Morkel, Beryldene Herman, her son Blessing and Cecil Morkel at their contested Chapman’s Peak house.

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