MEC Donald Grant on unlawful occupation of Helen Bowden site
Continued unlawful occupation of Helen Bowden site may hinder development of social housing
14 March 2018
Today, the Department of Transport and Public Works began the process of notifying each of the occupants of the Helen Bowden Nurses Home site - part of the Somerset Precint and close to the V&A Waterfront - that we wish to engage with them in order to bring to an end their current unlawful occupation of the site. It is currently being unlawfully occupied by supporters of the group “Reclaim the City”.
The unlawful occupation was encouraged by Ndifuna Ukwazi and began almost a year ago. It has consistently been opposed by the Western Cape Government (WCG).
Since the unlawful occupation, violent outbreaks have erupted on the site from time to time, which have also resulted in vandalism and the destruction of property.