Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has met with National Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, at District Six this week. This marked a significant moment in the ongoing restitution process as the next phase of housing development moves closer to construction.

Cape Town Mayor, Land Reform Minister meet on District Six restitution as next housing phase moves closer

The meeting, held on Wednesday 11 February, coincided with the 60th anniversary of the apartheid government’s whites-only area declaration. The declaration led to the forced removals of thousands of District Six residents.

“The City wants to see beneficiaries return to new homes in District Six as soon as possible, and we are doing everything possible within our role to make that a reality,” he said.

During the engagement, project teams briefed the Mayor and Minister on progress to date, with a key update confirming that the next phase of housing for verified District Six beneficiaries is ready to go out to construction tender. Mayor Hill-Lewis welcomed the development, saying the shared focus remains on restoring a vibrant, living community in District Six.

District Six Restitution Update: Housing Construction Phase Moves Closer

The Mayor also raised ongoing concerns around land protection, noting that the City has secured court interdicts over time to prevent unlawful occupation of restitution land. This matter was also highlighted by District Six trustees and escalated to the Minister during the meeting.

60 Years On: District Six Restitution Project Advances With New Housing Phase

Following their discussions, Mayor Hill-Lewis and Minister Nyhontso conducted a walkabout of the area, viewing sites earmarked for upcoming housing phases, key land protection zones, and the City’s current public space upgrades. These upgrades form part of the District Six public space plan developed in collaboration with the community and beneficiaries, with current work focused on the historic Chapel Street corridor.

Next Phase of District Six Housing Development Gets Green Light After High-Level Meeting

Chapel Street serves as a vital central link between Trafalgar Park near the Zeenatul Islamic Mosque in the east, the new restitution areas, District Six, and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to the west. The Chapel Street project, which began in June 2025, is designed to support a people-centred public environment. This includes pedestrian prioritization, additional seating along walkways and traffic-calming measures to improve safety for children and the elderly. There’s also going to be the planting of trees and greenery to encourage social interaction.

Cape Town Mayor Meets Minister as District Six Housing Project Enters Next Phase

City officials say these upgrades complement the broader restitution effort, reinforcing the long-term vision of rebuilding District Six as a connected, inclusive, and thriving community.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has sparked outrage following a media briefing yesterday, where he attempted to show that he, too, is affected by ongoing water interruptions. However, he appeared to put his foot in it when he said he has had to shower at a hotel.

Large parts of Gauteng have faced water shortages and repeated supply disruptions for weeks. The crisis has been linked to ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure, major leaks, rising demand driven by rapid urbanisation, and insufficient maintenance.

Protests have erupted in several areas.

Some reports estimate that nearly half, about 46%, of Johannesburg’s water is lost through leaks.

Lesufi has since apologised, saying he never intended for his comments to be interpreted in a way that suggested the impact of the water crisis differs depending on one’s position in society.

But critics and political parties are not letting the matter slide.

The Democratic Alliance, which has announced Helen Zille as its Johannesburg mayoral candidate for the 2026 local government elections, has moved quickly to capitalise on what it sees as a significant political misstep, also threatening to approach the courts over the crisis.

Noted with thanks, Panyaza. 🙏

If only Gauteng residents could go to a hotel and shower. 🫶

Register to #VoteDA. Put a stop to this madness: https://t.co/SzMWMxGkD8 pic.twitter.com/RkdSMgZlG2

— DA Gauteng (@DAGauteng) February 11, 2026

Spare a thought for countless parents who, each morning, must prepare their children for school and rely on public or school transport — parents who, unlike Premier @Lesufi, neither own nor have access to private vehicles that would allow them to drive to the nearest hotel simply… pic.twitter.com/gVx3cswxk9

— Tebogo Khaas (@tebogokhaas) February 12, 2026

Need I say more? @Lesufi is a joke.#GautengWaterCrisis #NoDryTaps pic.twitter.com/P0jPt4Kzfg

— Daniel Schay (@2Schay) February 12, 2026

A whole premier telling residents with his chest that luxury hotel showers is the solution for our dry taps at home. In an election year. That’s some elite level confidence. https://t.co/JAjk9UTG6W

— Ulrich Janse van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) February 12, 2026

An extortion-related incident that saw security personnel kidnapped, has prompted the closure of the Town Two Clinic in Khayelitsha.  

The incident reportedly unfolded last Monday. Police confirmed that unknown men allegedly removed two security officers from the clinic and demanded a protection fee from the security company the officers are employed with. 

“The case docket is handled by Provincial Serious Violent Crime detectives. Investigation is ongoing,” said Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala. 

The incident led to the immediate suspension of the facility’s services. 

While detectives continue their investigation, the City of Cape Town has implemented contingency measures to assist residents seeking healthcare services. 

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Service and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, said the City condemned the incident in the strongest terms, confirming that the clinic remains closed since the incident.  

“Criminal elements cannot be allowed to hold essential community services to ransom, and such behaviour will not be tolerated… The threats made against security officers were serious, direct and credible, and the matter was formally reported to the South African Police Service,” said Higham.  

Higham said the safety of patients, staff and security personnel remains the City’s top priority.  

Meanwhile, she advised that temporary alternatives available to affected residents included access to the nearby Mathew Goniwe, Luvuyo and Mayenzeke clinics, as well as a mobile clinic.  

“City Health has also established a mobile clinic at the Metro Police Department offices in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, and signage has been placed at Town Two Clinic to direct residents.” 

Higham apologised for the disruption the incident has caused, adding that safety and operational contingencies have been activated ahead of the clinic’s anticipated reopening on Monday, 16 February. 

“We thank the community for their patience while steps are taken to restore services safely,” she said.  

This incident comes a few months after the clinic was set alight in September 2025, at which time clinic services were also affected.  

READ MORE: Arson leaves Town Two clinic, in Khayelitsha, with limited services