The Western Cape High Court has ordered the eviction of 161 unlawful occupants from Transnet-owned land in the Culemborg precinct, near the Port of Cape Town and Woodstock. The judgment, delivered on 21 July 2026 by Judge Derek Wille, requires the occupants to vacate by 30 September 2026. Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) says the Transnet Culemborg eviction supports current and future port-related developments and logistics infrastructure.
Court Orders Vacating of Strategic Land by September
The properties lie between the Port of Cape Town and Woodstock, alongside the N1 highway. Transnet sought the eviction under the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act. The case initially involved about 282 people occupying multiple pockets of land for more than a decade. Updated surveys reduced the number to 161, many of them undocumented foreign nationals.
If the occupants do not leave by the deadline, the Sheriff of the Court may carry out the eviction and may receive assistance from the South African Police Service. The court authorised the removal of possessions and unlawful structures. The City of Cape Town was joined as a respondent so the court could consider its responsibilities under the PIE Act. The Department of Home Affairs was also joined because of questions about immigration status.
Land Needed for Port and Logistics Development
TNPA stated that the court recognised the properties as part of its strategic land holdings. These holdings support its statutory mandate, including current and future port-related activities and the long-term development of strategic freight logistics infrastructure.
“The recovery of these strategically located properties represents an important step towards enabling future port and logistics development, improving safety and security, and supporting the long-term efficiency, competitiveness, and growth of the Port of Cape Town and the broader South African economy,” TNPA said. The authority committed to a lawful, safe process that respects the dignity of affected persons and will cooperate with the Sheriff and other authorities.
Around the same period, TNPA issued a Request for Proposals for a terminal operator to refurbish and operate a Multi-Purpose Terminal at the Port of Cape Town under a 25-year concession. The initiative forms part of Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth strategy, which aims to improve operational performance, expand capacity and involve private-sector participation.
Community Concerns and Official Responses
Ward councillor Ian McMahon said Woodstock and Salt River residents have long linked the area to robberies, attacks on cyclists and motorists, cable theft and vandalism. He noted that the presence of the occupiers affected nearby neighbourhoods, businesses and commuters. Evidence placed before the court included statistics on robberies and surveillance footage of cable theft and vehicle-related crimes near the sites.
Housing rights organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi said it would challenge the decision and is exploring options that may include an appeal. The City of Cape Town, one of the respondents, was not ordered to provide housing or accommodation because the land is not City-owned. Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith stated that the property owner is best placed to comment on the judgment and the way forward.
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