‘Culemborg eviction is good news for local business’ – CT councillor

Unlawful land occupation at Culemborg directly triggered a rise in crime that harmed local commercial operations in Woodstock for years, according to Ward 115 Councillor Ian McMahon.

Responding to news of the Court ruling in favour of Transnet National Ports Authority, McMahon highlighted that local business owners faced severe operational strain as the settlement became a focal point for persistent criminal activity along one of Cape Town's primary commercial corridors.

“For many years, Woodstock residents have associated this area with repeated reports of robberies, attacks on cyclists and motorists, cable theft, vandalism and the unlawful occupation of strategically important Transnet-owned land,” McMahon said in a social media post. “The effects extended well beyond the occupation itself, impacting nearby neighbourhoods, businesses, commuters and one of the busiest gateways into Cape Town.”

“Over that time, I met with countless residents who no longer felt comfortable walking through parts of the precinct, business owners concerned about safety and investment, and members of the cycling community who changed their daily routes because of repeated attacks along this corridor. Those concerns deserved to be heard. Equally, the Court was required to carefully consider the circumstances of those living on the site and balance those interests fairly and lawfully.”

Commercial enterprises across the Woodstock and Culemborg industrial precinct suffered from repeated incidents of cable theft, property vandalism, and violent robberies targeting employees, customers, and commuters, McMahon said.

The Western Cape High Court validated these business concerns in its judgment ordering the eviction of 161 occupiers from the Transnet-owned site by 30 September 2026. High Court judges noted that extensive evidence linked the Culemborg site to ongoing criminal activity, setting it apart from ordinary informal settlements established purely for economic shelter.

The upcoming eviction could signal a turning point beyond immediate public safety relief for Woodstock businesses. Removing the illegal occupation eliminates one of the delaying factors stalling Transnet's multi-million-rand infrastructure and logistics projects on the strategically important Culemborg site.

McMahon told Cape Chamber he was confident Transnet can now advance planning for its Culemborg Intermodal Logistics Precinct, an initiative designed to expand port capacity and improve freight efficiency for Western Cape exporters. He said the land offers significant commercial potential for port expansion, public transport integration, and urban regeneration, while also providing room for well-located affordable housing projects close to the central business district.

Surrounding infrastructure upgrades will also gain momentum, including PRASA redevelopment plans and ongoing security walling along the Central Line corridor. City Law Enforcement and SAPS will monitor the precinct leading up to the September 2026 deadline to prevent further occupations and ensure a peaceful transition toward restoring commercial confidence in the area.