Metro to restore Lyttelton Hall after years of unlawful occupation

The Tshwane metro has confirmed plans to renovate the Lyttelton community hall following the recent relocation of homeless occupants who had been staying there since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown.

According to metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the hall was initially established as a temporary shelter on March 26, 2020, when the national lockdown was declared.

He said the metro’s department of community and social development, in partnership with local non-profit organisations including Hennops Revival and Haven of Hope, created the shelter to provide accommodation, food, and services to the homeless for three months.

“The three-month national lockdown was extended, and both the city and local NGOs continued accommodating and serving the homeless in the hall.

In 2021, during the easing of lockdown, the city and NPOs reunited some of the homeless beneficiaries and arranged placement of the remaining beneficiaries at shelters in town and Pretoria North.”

Mashigo said that management of the shelter later shifted to Kopano Manyano, an NGO that deals with homelessness in the city.

“The remaining homeless beneficiaries who could not be reunited with families for various reasons and some new homeless people were admitted by Kopano Manyano NGO.”

Mashigo said that when the organisation stopped its involvement, a pastor named Cyril refused to vacate the hall and allowed the beneficiaries to remain.

He noted that from that point, the occupants began organising themselves and sought the support of Lawyers for Human Rights to resist eviction.

This led to what Mashigo described as a battle between the city and Lawyers for Human Rights to evict the beneficiaries from 2021 until August 19 this year.

While inspections and monitoring were conducted while the metro was still in control, Mashigo confirmed that conditions at the facility deteriorated significantly once it was taken over by the homeless occupants.

“The conditions deteriorated after the shelter was in full control of homeless beneficiaries with the assistance of Lawyers for Human Rights,” he said.

These included severe sewer blockages, unmanaged waste, and health risks conducive to outbreaks of disease.

He further confirmed reports of substance abuse, criminal activity, and the housing of undocumented foreign nationals at the premises.

Mashigo emphasised that the metro had originally provided comprehensive support, including shelter, food, medical care, psycho-social services, and material assistance, but these services were halted once the occupants refused to co-operate and took over the facility.

He added that the situation had been a learning experience for the metro.

“National lockdown was never anticipated and caught us unprepared. The city will, in future, ensure that community halls are not utilised as makeshift shelters but opt for temporary structures such as tents and other forms of temporary shelters,” he said.

A council resolution now prohibits the use of municipal halls as emergency accommodation because people tend to refuse relocation once settled.

The hall was finally evacuated on August 19, and Mashigo confirmed that it will now be renovated.

“The hall will be renovated by our building maintenance department to restore it to its former glory,” he said.

He explained that the city’s Group Property Department, the custodian of municipal property, is still set to conduct a technical inspection that will inform the timeline and budget allocation for the restoration.

Ward 57 Councillor David Farquharson expressed relief at the relocation of the individuals who had been staying in the hall.

He said he was pleased that the building would now be restored for its intended purpose and emphasised his support for the metro’s plans to rehabilitate the facility.

PR Councillor Wesley Jacobs of the Freedom Front Plus also welcomed the enforcement of the High Court judgment, ordering the eviction of the unlawful occupants.

Jacobs said that the hall had been unlawfully used as a shelter for about 30 homeless individuals since the onset of the pandemic.

“This facility was never designated or equipped for residential use,” he said.

He pointed out that the premises had been occupied without any lease agreement or rental contract with the metro.

Jacobs added that disturbing allegations had surfaced of the caretaker collecting rent from vulnerable occupants while the metro received no compensation.

“Multiple health inspections have declared the facility unsuitable and unsatisfactory for accommodation.”

Reports cited severe sewer blockages, unmanaged waste, and conditions conducive to disease outbreaks, substance abuse, and criminal activity, including the housing of undocumented illegal foreigners.

Jacobs said these findings had been supported by legislation such as the National Health Act, the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, and other environmental and safety laws.

He recalled that on July 8, the High Court ruled that all unlawful occupiers must vacate the premises within 30 days, but many refused to comply, which led to enforcement action.

“The court had ordered affected individuals to relocate to the Youth for Survival Shelter, where support services will be provided.

“The Lyttelton Hall building now requires significant rehabilitation and investment to restore its functionality and unlock future opportunities for community use and revenue generation,” added Jacobs.

MMC for Community and Social Development Services, Palesa Modise, is yet to provide Rekord with more information regarding the relocation of the affected individuals.

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