The Western Cape High Court dismissed an urgent application to stop the planned auction of 50 City of Cape Town properties, including the Good Hope Centre.
The application was filed by Khoi-San groups, the Oedasoa Cochoqua Royal Kingdom and land activists in a desperate attempt to halt the auction which is set to take place on Thursday 26 February.
The City plans to release about 50 other municipal properties, totalling roughly 282,000m², to unlock economic and social value for Capetonians across the metro.
According to Joseph Noel, Senior High Commissioner of the Royal Kingdom, the group owns a vast tract of land across the Western and Northern Cape.
The land includes the Good Hope Centre site.
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Joseph said the disposal of land within ancestral territory without structured Indigenous engagement raises serious constitutional concerns.
Joseph claimed they informed the City of their intention to engage and expressed a willingness to find a resolution.
The city has welcomed the High Court’s dismissal.
James Vos, Mayco member for economic growth, said the land release process is “lawful and transparent”
“We are glad that the court has seen through these meritless applications. A total of four have now either been struck off the roll or dismissed with costs.
‘The demands from those opposing the auction included baseless claims that unspecified land belongs to specific groupings. One group even asked that, in the event the land is released, a portion of the proceeds be paid into their bank account.”
According to Vos the properties are not being lost to Capetonians “instead, they will now realise their full economic and social potential” he explained.
“That includes the iconic Good Hope Centre, which has a very exciting future ahead for event hosting and mixed-use development, which limited state funding could never achieve.”
He said all properties identified for auction have been thoroughly assessed and confirmed as not required for municipal purposes.
The Oedasoa Cochoqua Royal Kingdom said they will consult with their legal team on the way forward.
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