Developer withdraws its Bo-Kaap interdict
PROPERTY developer Blok has withdrawn its interdict against Bo-Kaap residents demanding an end to gentrification of the historic area.
The company said they decided to do so “in the spirit of de-escalation”.
They took the application to the Western Cape High Court last month, where Judge Robert Henney granted their interdict against “all other persons trespassing, unlawfully conducting themselves or attempting to trespass or unlawfully conduct themselves” from entering and disrupting construction on erf 2970.
“Blok understands that the Bo-Kaap community are not violent people but are passionate about their heritage and frustrated about the fact that in their view the City has been ignoring their requests to protect their heritage and the area of the Bo-Kaap, which is considered to be the home of Islam in South Africa,” the company said in a statement yesterday.
As part of the court order, the SA Human Rights Commission was instructed to facilitate talks between developers and disgruntled Bo-Kaap residents.
Acting on this order, the commission and provincial commissioner Chris Nissen conducted a walkabout to interact with residents last week.
Bo-Kaap civic association spokesperson Osman Shaboodien yesterday said they were not told officially whether the interdict had been withdrawn.
They are arranging a meeting with residents soon to discuss their next steps.
“We are going to canvass the issue with residents and then decide what to do next.
“We have not been told whether they have officially withdrawn the interdict.
“We have been treading carefully, and the community has been left traumatised by all of it,” Shaboodien added.
Blok had purchased a site in Lion Street in March last year and the City had approved the development of 56 residential units.
Construction started in April, and there was currently another application pending with the City over exchanging 29 parking units, their court papers said.
Blok added that the intention of the interdict application “was to protect the innocent people on site who were being targeted by the acts of violence”.
“We respect the culture and identity of the community which is immutable to the area itself, rooted in things deeper than the foundations of a building.
“The interdict ordered was not against the broader community.
“The Blok has committed to continue its engagement with representatives of the people of the Bo-Kaap, which to date has been productive, in order to achieve a mutually acceptable, sustainable and peaceful solution,” the company said.