For immediate release: 12 November 2026 

Today, 12 November 2026, Judge Mayosi granted the interim relief, allowing the 32 applicants to rebuild their homes. Ndifuna Ukwazi welcomes the High Court ruling in favour of the Gate 7 community.

On 23 October 2026, the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement demolished homes in Gate 7, Maitland, without a court order. The evictions had no legal authority and were unlawful.

Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) Law Centre represented 38 applicants from Gate 7. The families were left homeless with no alternative accommodation and were exposed to harsh weather, sleeping outside without shelter.

Six of the affected residents approached NU Law Centre, which launched an urgent spoliation application. It asked the Western Cape High Court for interim relief allowing the six applicants to rebuild, and for that relief to be made final on the return date of the rule nisi. The Court granted the interim relief on 31 October 2026.

Even with the order in place, the City prevented the six from rebuilding for three days. They could only start after an NU attorney attended the property and met a City representative.

Thirty-two more residents, who suffered the same demolition on 23 October 2026, then approached NU Law Centre. NU went to the High Court on 11 November 2026 seeking the same interim relief for them. On 12 November 2026, Judge Mayosi granted the interim relief, allowing the 32 applicants to rebuild their homes.

Caitlin Turok, attorney representing the applicants said, “A home means dignity, belonging and security. Stripping people of their homes unlawfully, with no alternative accommodation, is an injustice and a violation of their human rights. NU calls on the City of Cape Town to build transitional, social and affordable housing in well-located areas instead of acting unlawfully against its own residents.”

Ends

Editors’ notes

• This is interim relief only.
• The matter returns to court on 26 November 2026.