HOUSING DISPUTE: Court halts Gqeberha evictions as families resist move into vandalised units
An Eastern Cape High Court order halts Nelson Mandela Bay evictions after 14 Airport Valley homes were demolished, as families reject moving to roofless units beside a landfill.
On 28 September, Nelson Mandela Bay municipality demolished 14 homes in Airport Valley, Gqeberha, as residents rejected moving to roofless units near a landfill. The Eastern Cape High Court intervened two days later on 30 September, issuing an urgent interim order that halted further demolitions and evictions. The court also ordered the municipality to rebuild the demolished homes and barred officials from intimidating residents.
However, the residents have refused to relocate to temporary relocation units (TRUs) at Walmer 1948, stating the structures are unfit for habitation due to vandalism, lack of essential services, and proximity to a landfill site. The TRUs were constructed for Phase 2 RDP house construction, approved in August 2023, but the municipality has not provided a clear timeline for delivering the promised permanent homes.
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