Maitland mother says repeated shack demolitions left wheelchair-using daughter homeless

Nomaindia Ketani, 52, says the City of Cape Town’s demolitions have left her with nowhere to go.

A 52-year-old mother says she has been left sleeping outdoors after her shack at Cape Town’s Gate 7 informal settlement was allegedly demolished for the fifth time since July.

Nomaindia Ketani said the latest demolition took place on Friday, 23 October 2026, opposite Maitland Cemetery on Voortrekker Road.

Her 22-year-old daughter, who uses a wheelchair, is staying temporarily with other people because Ketani says she cannot safely sleep outside.

The demolition took place at the Gate 7 informal settlement opposite Maitland Cemetery on Voortrekker Road.

Ketani said she and other residents moved onto the land in July and had been caught in a cycle of building, demolition and rebuilding. When many could no longer afford materials, they put up tents, which were also pulled down.

She told IOL Media: “Now we are sleeping outside because we have nowhere to go.”

“We fear for our safety, obviously, but the reason why we are here is that we don’t have any other place to stay.”

Ketani said the demolition also cost her daughter essential items

“The City officials took her napkins that she uses, her medication and her linen saver and threw them away during the demolition.”

“The City of Cape Town gentleman who did this told us that it wasn’t personal and that he was only doing his job.”

She said she asked strangers to house her daughter temporarily and did not want to ask them to take her in as well.

“I asked strangers to house her temporarily because I can not let her sleep outside, and I wouldn’t ask them to house me as well and become another burden. She stays nearby.”

Ketani claimed residents were given no warning and were never shown a court order.

“When they came on Friday, they did not notify anyone or even show a court order.”

She said that, as she understood it, officials should have shown the order, given it to someone to sign, and left a copy.

“Nothing like that happened. And most of us were not here when they demolished our homes.”

She said only two structures were spared. One had a child inside, and the owner of the other explained they had children in school.

Residents’ beds and belongings are left exposed in the open after their shacks were demolished at the Gate 7 Informal Settlement.

Ketani also claimed residents were issued fines of R3,000 and told to pay at the Goodwood Municipality, which she questioned given the City says the land is privately owned.

“If they say this land is private, who will be taking the fines? Who are we paying to?”

“The worst part is that we are not even working.”

Ketani said the ward councillor had told residents he would not comment on the matter.

“The councillor said that he was not going to say anything because he said that he doesn’t want to make it look like he supports people building shacks here.”

Ashes from a fire the residents lit to keep warm lie next to beds and bedding left in the open.

Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for the City’s Law Enforcement department, told IOL Media the land belonged to a private owner who had gone to court.

“The land in question is private property, and the landowner obtained a court order for the removal of the illegal occupants,” Dyason said.

He said Law Enforcement was called in by the landowner.

“The landowner requested Law Enforcement officers to assist (based on the court order).”

Dyason referred the rest of IOL Media's questions to the landowner.

“For further details with regard to the removal, please liaise with the land owner.”

Despite multiple attempts, the City did not disclose the landowner’s identity or confirm whether the occupiers were fined R3,000 as they claim.

IOL Media also approached Ward 56 councillor Cheslyn Daniels for comment. Despite several attempts, he could not be reached.