New Horizon residents petition City over housing neglect and threat of extension demolitions

Residents of New Horizon, in Pelican Park, have submitted a formal petition to the City of Cape Town, calling for urgent intervention over unsafe living conditions, stalled service delivery, and looming threats of demolition linked to proposed infrastructure changes.

Legal representative Lyle Lawrence, who is assisting the community, said about 90 residents -  mostly elderly women - travelled to the Cape Town Civic Centre and the Provincial Administration offices in Wale Street on Thursday, August 7, to hand over the petition peacefully.

Their concerns focus on 60-day compliance notices issued to households on 10 roads, requiring residents to submit building plans for extensions or face possible legal action under the National Building Regulations.

In response, more than 100 residents staged a peaceful protest on Saturday, July 26, gathering at the Strandfontein Road traffic lights with placards voicing their dissatisfaction. The demonstration followed a widespread community mobilisation effort  (“New Horizon residents protest against demolition of home extensions”).

“We are not against progress,” the petition reads. “But we refuse to be displaced or ignored in the name of development. Our community deserves to be included - not erased.”

Residents argue that the extensions, including Vibracrete walls, backyard Wendy houses, and off-street parking on unused road reserve land, were built out of necessity in an area plagued by gang violence, break-ins, and overcrowding.

Now, the City plans to proceed with pavement construction, which could require the removal of these structures. Residents say such development, while well-intentioned, would further endanger their safety and displace vulnerable households.

Councillor Gerry Gordon confirmed to Southern Mail on July 25 that the pavement project will go ahead, with completion expected before the end of the year.

The compliance notices warn that unauthorised building work without formal approval constitutes a criminal offence under Regulation A25(11) of the National Building Regulations. Failure to comply could result in the City instituting legal proceedings without further notice.

However, residents maintain that the land in question - primarily unused road reserve - had no prior public function and was never intended for infrastructure. They insist their use of the land has improved safety, provided shelter, and caused no disruption to traffic or city services.

The petition outlines broader concerns, including substandard RDP housing, unfulfilled promises such as non-functional solar geysers, and a lack of meaningful consultation before development projects are rolled out.

Residents are requesting that informal structures not be demolished, but instead inspected for safety, and approved if compliant. They are also asking that land currently in use be formally allocated to the households relying on it.

Mr Lawrence said: “The officials told us they will respond via email within 14 days and then give the community a face-to-face feedback session at New Horizon thereafter.”

The community awaits the City’s response and insists on being part of any development decisions going forward.