Civil Society Unmuted Coalition SA - Opposes The Auction of 50 Municipal Properties By The City of Cape Town

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26 February 2026

Civil Society Unmuted Coalition SA expresses deep concern and strong opposition to the City ofCape Town’s planned auction of 50 municipal properties, including the iconic Good Hope Centre, following the dismissal of the urgent application by the Western Cape High Court. While we respect the Court’s ruling, we believe the matter goes beyond legal technicalities it is fundamentally about justice, land, dignity, and the urgent housing crisis facing the people of the Western Cape.

The Western Cape continues to experience one of the highest rates of informal settlements and homelessness in South Africa. Thousands of families live in overcrowded backyard dwellings, informal settlements, and unsafe conditions without adequate access to basic services. At a time when housing demand far exceeds supply, it is deeply troubling that public land is being sold instead of being repurposed for social housing, emergency accommodation, and community development.

Public land is a public resource. It should be used to address inequality, spatial injustice, and homelessness not primarily to advance economic interests that do not directly benefit the most vulnerable communities.

The Coalition is particularly concerned that this auction may further entrench inequality and potentially contribute to displacement and evictions in the long term. Selling strategically located municipal properties removes future opportunities for inclusive housing development and meaningful spatial transformation.

We stand in solidarity with the people of the Western Cape who are directly affected by the housing crisis. We also support the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in its efforts to legally challenge decisions that may undermine socio-economic rights, including the constitutional right to access adequate housing.

We call on the City of Cape Town to:

1. Halt the auction process.
   
   
2. Engage in transparent public consultation with affected communities.
   
   
3. Conduct a social impact assessment on how these sales will affect housing delivery and
   homelessness.
   
   
4. Prioritize the use of municipal land for social housing and public benefit projects.

The economy cannot be placed above people. Development must be people-centered, rights-based, and aligned with constitutional obligations.

Civil Society Unmuted Coalition SA remains committed to advocating for equitable land use, social justice, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

ISSUED BY: CIVIL SOCIETY UNMUTED COALITION SOUTH AFRICA (CSUCSA)
CYNTHIA CHISHIMBA
NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON

FOR ENQUIRIES:
BANDILE MDLALOSE
DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL
CSUCSA
Mob: 063 807 7244
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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