Judgment Reserved in Allegedly “Urgent Eviction” hearing of Irene Grootboom House

Press Release 2 September 2025 [ Ndifuna Ukwazi and Reclaim the City ]

Judgment today was reserved in the Western Cape High Court in the “urgent” application brought by the National Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean MacPherson against the residents of Reclaim the City’s Irene Grootboom House formerly known as 104 Darling Street in Cape Town.

The hearing was initially scheduled for 9 April 2025. But upon arrival in court then, the State Attorney (the National Minister’s legal representatives) was not present and had not set the matter down and therefore, no hearing could take place.

The Minister of Public Works initially sought an urgent eviction order for all residents, citing unverified structural defects in a dilapidated building. However, this morning, on the day of the hearing, the Department altered its request, seeking only an interim eviction for those on a portion of the property, now citing a loose wall as imminently dangerous, even though five months in the rainy season has not seen it fall. The Minister requested a further postponement, on the “urgent eviction” for the remaining residents.

Representing most of the residents of Irene Grootboom House, Ndifuna Ukwazi Law Centre vigorously opposed the incredibly defective application, arguing the Minister failed to prove the danger was truly imminent, highlighting a 12-year delay in maintenance and a failure to take temporary safety measures and on which basis the matter should be dismissed. We further contended that the last-minute changes to the application were procedurally unfair.

The City of Cape Town, a respondent in the matter, acknowledged the health and safety concerns and confirmed an offer of temporary emergency accommodation at the Haven Night Shelter remains available for those affected, should the court grant the eviction. The City did not make any offer at its own Safe Space shelters.

Lorenzo Johnson, a political organiser at Ndifuna Ukwazi, who is working with the residents of Irene Grootboom House says:

“Given the state of the housing crisis, it would be in all parties best interest to simply repair the building and allow the residents to live in it in a dignified manner, that is in line with the vision of the Constitution.“

The presiding judge; Judge Dolamo, has reserved judgment.

Read more:

• Ndifuna Ukwazi’s lawyers to oppose DPWI’s bid to evict occupants of Irene Grootboom House
• Ndifuna Ukwazi notes the signing of the Expropriation Act into law
• In photos: the Reclaim the City occupations