A dispute has intensified over the City of Cape Town’s planned land auction, with a broad coalition of Indigenous groups, civic organisations, traditional leaders and political bodies vowing to challenge the sale in court and through public protest.
The alliance, which includes the Oedasoa Cochoqua Royal Kingdom, has described the auction as a “neocolonial land grab”, arguing that prime public land should be used to address social and housing needs rather than for private development. The group likened the sale to a “second removal of District Six” and claims there was inadequate public consultation with affected communities.
The coalition plans to file an urgent court application seeking an interdict to halt the auction, and has called on supporters to gather at the Good Hope Centre ahead of the scheduled sale. An earlier urgent interdict application by the Southern African Aboriginal Congress was dismissed by the Cape Town High Court, though an application for leave to appeal is under way.
The Oedasoa Cochoqua Royal Kingdom has formally served a constitutional notice on the City, contending that the sale infringes rights to equality, property and cultural protection. The Kingdom maintains that the land falls within Cochoqua ancestral territory and has called for structured Indigenous consultation, compensation mechanisms and a share of auction proceeds for a restorative development fund.
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth James Vos confirmed receipt of the notice and said the City had engaged with the Kingdom in good faith. He stated that none of the properties are subject to outstanding land claims, according to the Land Claims Commission, and that the disposal process complies with legal requirements.
The auction involves around 50 residential, commercial and industrial properties across the metro, totalling approximately 282,000 square metres. The City says the initiative is intended to stimulate economic growth and reinvest proceeds into public services, and has indicated the auction will proceed as planned despite mounting opposition.
