Ruling protects housing rights in Western Cape

A HIGH Court judge has stepped in to halt the threatened sale of dozens of state-subsidised homes in Cape Town, warning that allowing liquidators to proceed could trigger evictions, undermine housing rights and derail a flagship government housing programme.

- NICOLA MAWSON

THE Western Cape High Court interdicted liquidators from selling or disposing of 41 properties forming part of the Olive Close housing project in Melkbosstrand.

(Independent Newspapers Archive)

In an urgent judgment delivered last Friday, the Western Cape High Court interdicted liquidators from selling or disposing of 41 properties forming part of the Olive Close housing project in Melkbosstrand, pending a final ruling on whether the homes can legally be sold at all.

Judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood said the case raised issues "of national and constitutional significance", particularly in light of South Africa's housing crisis and the state's obligations under the Constitution.