A Maitland mother says she has been left sleeping outdoors after her shack was demolished for the fifth time since July, while her wheelchair-using daughter has had to seek temporary shelter elsewhere.
Nomaindia Ketani, 52, said the latest demolition at the Gate 7 informal settlement, opposite Maitland Cemetery on Voortrekker Road, took place on Friday, 23 October 2026, Cape Argus reported.
Her 22-year-old daughter, who uses a wheelchair, is staying temporarily with other people because Ketani says she cannot safely sleep outside.
Ketani said she and other residents had occupied the land in July and had repeatedly rebuilt their shelters after demolitions. As the cost of replacing building materials became unaffordable for many, some resorted to putting up tents, which were also removed.
“Now we are sleeping outside because we have nowhere to go,” she told IOL Media.
“We fear for our safety, obviously, but the reason why we are here is that we don’t have any other place to stay.”
Daughter’s belongings allegedly discarded
Ketani said the demolition had left her daughter without essential supplies, including medication and items used for her personal care.
“The City officials took her napkins that she uses, her medication and her linen saver and threw them away during the demolition.”
She said a City official involved in the operation had told residents that the action was not personal and that he was simply doing his job.
With her daughter unable to sleep outdoors safely, Ketani said she had approached strangers to provide temporary accommodation for her.
“I asked strangers to house her temporarily because I can not let her sleep outside, and I wouldn’t ask them to house me as well and become another burden. She stays nearby.”
‘Nothing like that happened’
Ketani alleged that residents had not been warned about the demolition and had not been shown a court order authorising it.
“When they came on Friday, they did not notify anyone or even show a court order,” she said.
Ketani said she believed officials were supposed to produce the order, have someone sign for it and leave a copy.
“Nothing like that happened. And most of us were not here when they demolished our homes.”
According to Ketani, only two structures were left standing. She said one had a child inside, while the owner of the other told officials that they had children attending school.
Residents question alleged R3,000 fines
Ketani further claimed that residents had been issued fines of R3 000 and instructed to pay them at the Goodwood Municipality.
She questioned how the fines would be administered if the land was privately owned, as the City has stated.
“If they say this land is private, who will be taking the fines? Who are we paying to?”
She said the situation was particularly difficult because many residents were unemployed.
“The worst part is that we are not even working.”
Ketani also claimed that the ward councillor had declined to comment on the matter, saying he did not want to be seen as supporting people building shacks on the land.
“The councillor said that he was not going to say anything because he said that he doesn’t want to make it look like he supports people building shacks here.”
City says landowner obtained court order
Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement department, said the land belonged to a private owner who had obtained a court order for the removal of the occupants.
“The land in question is private property, and the landowner obtained a court order for the removal of the illegal occupants,” Dyason said.
He said Law Enforcement officers had been called in by the landowner to assist with the operation.
“The landowner requested Law Enforcement officers to assist (based on the court order).”
Dyason referred further questions about the removal to the landowner.
“For further details with regard to the removal, please liaise with the land owner.”
Despite multiple attempts, the City did not disclose the landowner’s identity or confirm whether residents had been fined R3 000, as alleged by Ketani.
IOL Media also sought comment from Ward 56 councillor Cheslyn Daniels, but he could not be reached despite several attempts.
