Alex Midikana sits amongst his belongings as shacks are removed. When Law Enforcement arrived on Tuesday Midikana’s home was spared. But on Thursday it too was removed. Photo: Brenton Geach

Shacks were torn down by the City of Cape Town on Wednesday in a new land occupation next to the Empolweni informal settlement in Khayelitsha.

On 17 April the Cape High Court effectively ruled that the City may not tear down shacks erected after lockdown in Empolweni, at least not until a court hearing takes place after the Covid-19 lockdown. But the order was contingent on no more people moving to the site.

“These are new attempts at invading this piece of land. It is illegal to invade land and the court supports the City in its right to protect its land,” said Councillor Malusi Booi, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements.