The meeting forms part of an investigation into a complaint regarding the lack of access to basic services for the residents of Spoekiesdorp for the last five years. The investigation revealed that for the residents to access basic services relocation of the residents would be required.

The Breede Valley Local Municipality has offered a relocation site with a relocation plan to Avian Park, Worcester, at a distance of 20 kilometres from Spoekiesdorp. The distance as well as other concerns render this option unacceptable to the community.  Other relocation options therefore are being considered.

Consequently, the SAHRC will be holding stakeholder engagements on this issue to find a solution speedily. The engagements will be with the Municipality, the residents of Spoekiesdorp Informal Settlement and two farmers from the Rawsonville area using land in close proximity to the informal settlement.

At the end of the engagements, the SAHRC will also hold a media briefing to which all members of the media are invited. This briefing will take place at Rawsonville Primary School at the conclusion of the meeting with the Spoekiesdorp community.

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

For further information contact the SAHRC WCPO’s Mr Lwethu Yoli This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Western Cape Provincial Manager, Ms. Zena Nair This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.