First impressions and feedback from the legal trial for ZRH eviction case

Jessica Thorn

The appeal trial of the community of Zille Raine Heights v. the City of Cape Town case commenced at 10h00 and was concluded at 15h15. It was heard by a bench of three judges, including one woman who is a gender activist. The court was packed to the brim with community members. Outside throughout the day the children sang songs, danced and held placards and the banner of the settlement on the stairs of the High Court. We had good publicity, including interviews from E TV, the Cape Argus, the Cape Times, and Radio 786, who interviewed Gwendoline Botha and Layla Ryklief amongst others. The community also received strong support from organizations including the Anti-Eviction Campaign, UCT, UWC and Plaas. There were also a number of messages received in solidarity from ILRIG and other sources.