KNYSNA NEWS - There has been a significant development in the legal battle between the Smutsville occupiers and Knysna Municipality, as the Western Cape High Court ordered the municipality to provide ablution facilities at the site while the matter remains before the court.
The court also postponed the municipality's application for the occupiers' eviction and directed it to prepare a report on emergency temporary alternative accommodation for those occupiers who may qualify, in consultation with the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, and the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembisile Simelane.
As Knysna-Plett Herald had previously reported, on 17 October 2025 a group of Smutsville residents occupied a vacant municipal land earmarked for development since 2019, erecting temporary structures and saying they were frustrated by repeated delays and a lack of clear communication regarding the proposed social housing development.
Funding withdrawn
The occupation followed years of delays to the Sedgefield Infill Housing Programme.
At a municipal finance update meeting last October, the officials confirmed that the funding for the housing project had been withdrawn, marking another setback for a development that has remained in the planning stages for several years.
The residents said the prolonged delays, coupled with the absence of meaningful engagement and suitable housing alternatives, left them with little choice but to occupy the land in protest.
Municipality starts legal action
Following the occupation, Knysna Municipality instituted legal proceedings and obtained an interim high court interdict to prevent further unlawful occupation and construction on the site. Acting Municipal Manager Dr Richard Martin previously said the municipality had opened a contempt of court case, was compiling a list of individuals allegedly contravening the interim order and had deployed security to prevent further occupation.
The municipality also appointed a service provider to assist with clearing the site and implementing an anti-land invasion plan.
The municipality maintains that the occupation threatens the R10.7m Sedgefield Infill Housing Programme, which is expected to deliver more than 150 serviced sites during its first phase. Municipal officials have argued that the occupation undermines the rights of about 300 pre-screened beneficiaries, including elderly residents, people with disabilities, military veterans and child-headed households.
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