City of Cape Town law enforcement officers are keeping a close eye on the land in Kensington belonging to the Ndabeni Communal Property Trust following what the City described as a “mass land invasion”. 

The intervention comes after approximately 50 additional people allegedly attempted to occupy the erf adjacent to Voortrekker Road without the necessary court authorisation. 

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said six community members had been granted permission to erect structures on the property after obtaining a court order.  

“Despite this, other individuals have been unlawfully encroaching on the land, erecting structures one at a time and effectively dispossessing the Trust for a second time, even though an interdict is in place,” he said. 

The Trust and neighbouring residents reportedly approached the City for assistance, while the Trust also sought to lay trespassing charges with the police.  

“We’ve had an extremely tiresome day but a productive day. We have heard the pleas and the cries of the residents of the ward pertaining to this massive overnight land invasion,” said ward 56 councillor, Ashwin Jansen.  

The City subsequently deployed Traffic Services, Metro Police, Law Enforcement and specialised units, alongside SAPS Public Order Policing, to prevent further unlawful occupation and possible public violence. 

Smith warned that illegal land occupations had wider implications for communities and municipal services. 

“These land invasions have severe consequences for the City, they lead to increased vandalism, theft of infrastructure, increased dumping, increased in crime and violent service delivery related protests,” he said. 

Smith said City enforcement services and the SAPS will continue monitoring the property for further attempts to occupy the land. 

He also urged residents to report suspicious vehicles, including bakkies and taxis, entering the area, to the City’s enforcement services on 021 480 7700.