The City of Cape Town plays a limited role in the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa’s) Central Line relocation project, which is listed as a ‘Presidential Priority Project’. The City’s role is strictly limited as the planning authority for planning applications, responsible for the delivery of basic services to the relocated community once funding for these services has been provided by National Government. The project lead is Prasa and their appointed implementing agent, the Housing Development Agency (HDA), working with the National Department of Transport and the National Department of Human Settlements.

The City is keen to see the Central Line up and running again, as there are hundreds of thousands of commuters in Cape Town who once relied on the rail system for public transport. Most of these commuters have been left stranded by Prasa’s failure to protect its land from illegal occupation, resulting in the shutdown of the service. However, due diligence in accordance with the City’s Municipal Planning By-law and planning processes, and community participation, are central to this project.

Prasa and the HDA are purchasing land for the relocations for Phase 1 – these are the occupants who are currently located within the Langa station rail reserve. The identified private land parcels are situated in the Philippi Wedge Area.

The HDA is the implementing agent on behalf of Prasa for this project that is funded by the National Government.

The HDA is tasked to facilitate social engagement and community consultation in conjunction with the City, who is also responsible for the provision of basic services to the relocated residents, once the land use and other related applications have been dealt with in accordance with the City’s Municipal Planning By-law; and once funding for such services has been secured from National Government.

‘I want to assure residents and interested parties that no decision has been made as yet. We are only just beginning the first stage of public consultation. We are committed to consulting our residents, and the City will, in due course, invite members of the public to submit written comments on the proposal to use the identified land for emergency housing.

‘All comments will be duly considered. Thus, residents will have the opportunity to participate and comment on Prasa’s proposal to relocate households from the Langa station to these land parcels. We will soon make an announcement to inform all concerned of the processes to be followed,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

For the Phase 2 relocations – these are occupants who are currently living in the rail reserves at the Philippi station and Khayelitsha station, no land has been acquired as yet. Any acquisition of land parcels for human settlement purposes by Prasa, will be subject to public participation and due process as per the provisions of the Municipal Planning By-Law. All relevant community stakeholders will be thoroughly consulted should Prasa initiate a rezoning application.

‘Importantly, the relocations are subject to housing legislation and State-housing requirements. The accommodation for relocates would be informed by their housing status as per the Housing Needs Registrar.

‘The City does not support queue-jumping and is careful to objectively apply housing laws, which outline emergency accommodation alternatives where there is health and safety risk to people who have settled on land that is not appropriate for housing, such as under power lines, on railway lines, in wetlands and on flood plains,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi.

The City will provide updates on further developments and thanks the communities and implementing partners for the progress that has been made.

‘Passenger rail is the cheapest and most effective mass moving form of public transport. Approximately 60% to 70% of people residing in this area cannot afford other modes of transport and need to be able to commute by train to their places of employment. The Central Line has been suspended due to the illegal occupation of the rail reserve. The resumption of the Central Line operations is pivotal to Cape Town’s local economy and the improvement in the quality of life of residents from the area.

‘A fully operational passenger rail system will also assist in alleviating congestion of the city’s road network. It is, therefore, vital that all partners, communities, and spheres of government work together to ensure the Central Line starts operating again as soon as possible. However, this must be done in accordance with the City’s policies and relevant by-laws,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Councillor Rob Quintas.

Source: City Of Cape Town