City of Cape Town Silences Good Questions on Land Disposal Irregularities

GOOD Statement by Suzette Little, GOOD Deputy Secretary-General & City of Cape Town Councillor

The GOOD Party has raised serious concerns about the City of Cape Town’s lack of transparency in the disposal of public land, after GOOD councillor Suzette Little was prevented from raising key questions during the October Council meeting.

Despite following due process under the Rules of Order, Cllr Little was barred from speaking on the City’s sale of municipal properties from 2021. The Speaker’s Office rejected her motion for debate, citing Rule 20.1.1, claiming the matter “may lead to a discussion of a matter already dealt with in the agenda.”

This reasoning is inconsistent with the Council’s own practice, as questions are not debated in the chamber, meaning no such discussion could have occurred.

During the sitting, Cllr Little was further denied the opportunity to ask follow-up questions. Although the Speaker claimed she had been unmuted, the system inexplicably prevented her from speaking, effectively silencing her and obstructing oversight.

“The pattern is clear,” said Cllr Little. “When legitimate questions are raised about how the City manages its assets and serves its residents, the rules are applied selectively to avoid public scrutiny.”

The Mayor’s written reply to Cllr Little’s question deepened concerns about transparency. Instead of providing a full accounting of land sales, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis stated only that details were “available in the public domain.” This is misleading, as the information is not easily accessible, even to councillors seeking it through formal channels.

Cllr Little’s questions to the Mayor sought clarity on:

• How many of the 69 properties have been sold and at what prices?
• The total amount collected from these sales.
• Who purchased the land, and
• How many development plans have been submitted and approved?

“It is the public’s right to know how its land is being used,” Cllr Little said.

Alongside the Council questions, GOOD has tabled a motion calling for a moratorium on the sale or auction of any further City-owned land until measurable progress has been made in addressing Cape Town’s 400,000-strong housing waiting list.

Cape Town’s persistent housing crisis cannot be solved while the City continues to dispose of developable public land that could be used for affordable and social housing. Selling off scarce urban land while families wait decades for homes is morally indefensible.

Of the 69 City-owned properties identified for disposal, only 30 have confirmed buyers, leaving nearly 40 unaccounted for. Alarmingly, several of these sites were recently upgraded for community use with public funds, yet were still listed for auction.

A media report revealed that a community centre in Philippi used by residents was among those up for sale. Another property in Heideveld, which had just been upgraded for community use, also appeared on the disposal list.

“These properties should be serving the 400,000 residents on Cape Town’s housing waiting list, not being sold off without explanation,” Cllr Little added.

Under the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), municipal assets must be used to advance the public good. Section 14(2)(a) allows disposal only if the Council, after a public process, determines the property is not needed for basic service delivery.

Yet, the City’s internal reports claim that “all departments have commented and the land is no longer required,” despite evidence showing that some properties remain in use or were recently upgraded with public funds. This contradiction suggests possible violations of the MFMA and raises serious doubts about the accuracy of reports presented to Council.

“This isn’t just about procedure,” said Cllr Little. “It’s about accountability. The people of Cape Town deserve to know why land meant for housing and community purposes is being sold off, often to private developers, without proper explanation.”

The GOOD Party will continue to press for transparency. Cllr Little intends to resubmit her motion at the December 2025 Council meeting and will call for a full investigation into whether the City’s land disposal practices comply with the MFMA and the principles of good governance.

*The GOOD Party is a founding member of UNITE FOR CHANGE.

GOOD Public Health: The party emphasizes the importance of public health initiatives.

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