Cape Town community shuts down R300 — reason, other details to know
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa
Nearly two years after being relocated from the central railway line in Cape Town, hundreds of families are still living in makeshift conditions with no electricity, inadequate sanitation, and little sign of the permanent homes they were promised. On Thursday, these frustrations spilled onto the busy R300 highway.
On the morning of 7 August 2025, residents of Loyiso Nkohla Mabandla Village—a temporary settlement in Philippi East—took to the streets in protest. They blocked the R300 in both directions by burning tyres, drawing attention to their prolonged suffering and what they describe as abandonment by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
The protest, which was dispersed by police using rubber bullets, underscored rising tensions in a community that says it has waited too long for meaningful change.
A Relocation Meant to Be Temporary
The Loyiso community was moved in 2024 as part of Operation Bhekela, a collaboration between Prasa, the City of Cape Town, the Housing Development Agency, and other government entities. The project aimed to reclaim and restore Metrorail’s central line by clearing residents who had settled on or near the tracks.
Around 900 families were relocated to a Prasa-owned site near Stock Road in Philippi East. At the time, officials described the move as temporary—a short-term inconvenience before proper housing could be developed. But almost two years later, many residents say they feel stuck in limbo.
Living Without Power or Infrastructure
Since their arrival, the community has been without formal electricity or roads. Residents live in shacks surrounded by dumping sites and rely on outdoor taps for water and scattered portable toilets for sanitation. Many streets are impassable for vehicles, especially during rainy seasons when water pools between the dwellings.
While Prasa provided some basic structures and slab foundations, residents say they had to source their own materials to build shelter.
Electricity a Major Concern
The most pressing issue for many is the lack of electricity. Without a formal supply, residents have strung up illegal connections from neighbouring areas like Acacia and Heinz Park, paying as much as R350 a month to keep their lights on. These makeshift setups, however, are prone to being cut down by Prasa officials.
Community leader Lizo Magebe said residents have held meetings and even staged previous protests, but their requests have gone unanswered.
“They told us we’d be here for just over a year and that a permanent solution would follow,” Magebe said. “We’ve waited patiently, but promises have been broken. Even the building materials they promised never arrived.”
Unsafe Conditions, Disrupted Lives
Without electricity, residents rely on gas stoves, which they say are hazardous—especially in homes with children. One resident, Andiswa Ngceme, explained how the danger of gas leaks means adults must constantly supervise cooking. Others use firewood in makeshift braziers to prepare meals, saying they can’t afford monthly payments for informal electricity.
Ngceme also raised concerns about children’s safety and education. “The railway line is now a dumping ground, and children play near it. We were promised safe transport to schools, but nothing has been provided. Some children have even dropped out,” she said.
Government and PRASA’s Response
Residents say appeals to the City of Cape Town have been met with deferrals, as officials claim they lack authority over land owned by Prasa. Meanwhile, Prasa maintains that the settlement is temporary and that efforts to secure a permanent relocation are ongoing.
In a statement, Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said, “This relocation site is an interim solution for families who were living unlawfully on our rail lines. The City of Cape Town continues to assist with essential services like water, sanitation, and waste removal. A permanent solution is being coordinated through intergovernmental collaboration.”
Despite those assurances, residents remain skeptical and disheartened, saying they’ve heard similar responses for months with little to show for it.
Tensions Continue to Simmer
Following Thursday’s protest, South African Police Services remained on alert along the R300 corridor. While the community’s message was clear—demanding basic services and an end to empty promises—the road to resolution remains uncertain.
For now, Loyiso Nkohla Mabandla Village stands as a symbol of unmet commitments, where families continue to live without the dignity of electricity, education access, or secure housing—while waiting on a permanent home that keeps slipping further out of reach.
