NCC alleges DA is auctioning Cape Town's historic land

The National Coloured Congress (NCC) has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of attempting to sell off historically significant land in Cape Town as the City prepares for a major public auction of municipal properties later this year.

NCC leader Fadiel Adams alleged the DA was planning to “sell off the birthright” of communities displaced under apartheid, claiming that prime land would be sold at below-market value and would not benefit poor residents of the city. Adams further claimed the move would entrench inequality and warned that it would be met with resistance.

No evidence was provided to substantiate claims of foreign beneficiaries or financial kickbacks.

"Prime parcels of land rightfully belonging to the coloured people of Cape  will Town be sold at a fraction of its market value to Israeli and Ukrainians with a financial kickback to the DA to fund it's next election machine," Adams said via a statement issued.

"There will be no benefit in this transaction for the poor people of Cape Town, instead the beneficiaries of apartheid will look to again further enrich themselves at the expense of the inhabitants of the Cape flats.

"As we struggle with the consequences of living in the most unequal city in the world the DA makes one final attempt to ensure that the plan of their apartheid forerunners comes to fruition. 

The criticism comes ahead of a City of Cape Town auction scheduled for February 26, 2026, which will see around 50 City-owned properties made available for sale and lease.

The sites are zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, community and mixed-use purposes and span several parts of the metro, including Mitchells Plain, Atlantis Industrial, Parow, Goodwood and the Good Hope Centre precinct.

Mayco Member for Economic Growth James Vos has defended the land release programme, describing it as a strategy to unlock economic potential and attract private-sector investment.

Vos said all properties identified for auction had been assessed and were not required for municipal purposes, with proceeds earmarked for service delivery. He said the public auction process was intended to ensure transparency and competitive bidding.

Among the most prominent sites included in the broader land release programme is the Good Hope Centre precinct, a centrally located, heritage-rich property that the City has earmarked for long-term revitalisation.

The City has previously said the release of the precinct forms part of efforts to stimulate inner-city regeneration, attract investment and create jobs, while protecting the architectural and cultural significance of the site. Plans for the precinct envisage a mixed-use development, potentially incorporating residential, commercial, retail and events spaces, alongside infrastructure upgrades funded by a private developer.

The auction process will be overseen by Claremart Group, which the City says will manage the sale in compliance with all legislative and governance requirements. Listings for the properties are already live on the auctioneer’s platform.

Responding to the NCC’s claims, DA Western Cape communications manager Matthew Sims said: “The DA, as a political party, does not take decisions for the City of Cape Town or run any of its processes,” Sims said. “This is done by the administration in Cape Town with political oversight by the DA.”

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