Kayakers in a panic as eviction notices hit Three Anchor Bay boat sheds
Kevin Eave and Tracy Rauch, owner of Cape Kayak at Mouille Point. Tennants at the long-standing boat sheds at Three Anchor Bay have received eviction notices.
Image: Fouzia van der Fort
The future of the long-standing boat sheds at Three Anchor Bay has become a point of contention following the death of the previous leaseholder, raising concerns within the local kayaking community and prompting intervention from City of Cape Town officials.
The sheds, which have housed kayaks and surf skis for close to 30 years, are occupied by a local business, Cape Kayak, and dozens of individual kayakers. They were due to vacate the sheds at the end of April.
On Monday, May 4, about 30 members of the kayaking community, together with the City official responsible for recreation leases, spoke directly on the future of the boat sheds.
The meeting was facilitated by ward councillor Nicola Jowell at the sheds.
Kayaker Andrew Siddle, from Sea Point, said the sheds were vital for recreational and commercial water sport activities, and were occupied by various users who did not hold formal agreements with the municipality.
"I guess at one level this is about a bunch of inconvenienced kayakers, but it's also about jobs, local economy, tourism, and local character," he said.
Tenant Arthur Fincham died more than a year ago, and the council now says that it needs to cancel the lease, leading the City to issue notices to vacate.
His ex-wife, Tracy Rauch, owner of Cape Kayak, confirmed receiving an eviction notice issued by the estate lawyer of the previous leaseholder, but says direct communication from the City has been nonexistent.
"I've been operating here for 20 years, maintaining these sheds, paying rent, and running a business that creates jobs and draws tourists," she said.
Rauch said that they had wanted to transfer the agreements to her name during his lifetime, but no direct process was shared.
Jowell said that the City was finalising interim arrangements, which were likely to include an extension to the vacating period - this would be confirmed shortly.
Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Francine Higham, confirmed that the current lessee of the 12 sheds had died and that the City had issued a notice to vacate to the current occupants of the shed, with whom the City currently has no agreement.
"There is a great deal of interest in the leasing of these sheds, and so the City will undertake a competitive process to advertise the opportunity to lease these fairly and equitably," said Higham.