First Nation rights activists in Cape Town are celebrating a victory in their fight to stop development at the River Club.
The Goringhaicona Khoena Council has welcomed the granting of an urgent interdict preventing further construction at the site in Observatory.
That includes work on Amazon’s Africa headquarters.
The Court ruled that there has been no meaningful engagement or proper consultation process with the Khoi and San people.
There is still a broader case before the courts, where the council and the Observatory Civic Association want the court to completely set aside the City and Province’s decisions to approve the development in the first place.
The Council’s Tauriq Jenkins says they are elated by this ruling.
“This matter ultimately concerns the rights of indigenous peoples, and economic benefits can never override the fundamental rights of First Nations peoples. We welcome this decision – especially at a time where we’ve seen the bludgeoning of the flood plain, with the starting of buildings and the butchering of the old Liesbeek channel. We deeply appreciate this pause.”
Image: Tauriq Jenkins
