The controversial permanent removal of homeless people from the Castle of Good Hope just days before Prince William’s visit to Cape Town has sparked online commentary.
Last week, the city forcibly removed squatters who had taken up residence outside the landmark following a lengthy court battle.
The eviction, under the direction of the Sheriff of the Court and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, was carried out by SAPS and Cape Town Metro Police.
CITY OF CAPE TOWN MAYOR WELCOMES PRINCE WILLIAMS
On Monday, 4 November, Prince William arrived in Cape Town as part of his Earthshot Week charity endeavour.
The royal founded the programme in 2020, which seeks to cultivate sustainable environmental solutions to challenges like climate change, pollution, and carbon markets.
Welcoming him to the city was mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who joined the heir to the British throne for a casual game of rugby at a school in Ocean View.
He tweeted from his official X account: “We’re honoured to be hosting the @EarthshotPrize in Cape Town this week”.
Hill-Lewis also accompanied a delegation to Signal Hill, where Prince William joined conservationist Robert Irwin to talk about local biodiversity.
He added: “The City of Cape Town welcomes this positive milestone.
“Positive for the whole city, positive for this heritage site, and positive for those who were living in indignity at this site for several years”.
The National Heritage site was originally used as the headquarters for the South African Army in the Western Cape. Today, it landmark – located in the city’s CBD – houses the Castle Military Museum.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OF CAPE TOWN’S HOMELESS ‘CLEAN UP’ AMID PRINCE WILLIAM’S VISIT?
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