WC High Court halts eviction of families for now

THE Western Cape High Court has granted a temporary postponement of an eviction application against 34 families at Communicare NPC’s Welverdiend complex in Rondebosch until August, a dispute which has been dragging on for eight years.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

Communicarehowever, argues that the 70-year-old building requires structural repairs and has been deemed unsafe for its occupants.

In 2021, Communicare released an official statement, stating it wished to progress with a planned demolition and redevelopment of the ageing Welverdiend property in Rondebosch into 175 new affordable rental units (1 to 3 bedrooms).

It cited at the time that in October 2019, tenants were informed of the demolition due to failing infrastructure and offered alternative, suitable accommodation within Communicare’s portfolio, at no extra cost, with relocation support provided. At the time 59 tenants were successfully moved, mostly within a 10km radius of the southern suburbs.