R64 Million Table View Land Deal Under SIU Scrutiny Amid Allegations of Overpayment

Seven-Year-Old Table View Land Deal Draws SIU Attention

A contentious R64 million land purchase in Table View, intended to relocate residents of the Siyahlala informal settlement, has finally landed under the scrutiny of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU).

The deal, struck by the DA-led Western Cape government, has remained mired in delays for seven years, sparking accusations of overpayment and poor planning. Now, the SIU is assessing whether the transaction falls within the scope of its investigation into corruption in provincial Human Settlements Departments and the Housing Development Agency.

“At the moment, the SIU is currently going through assessment processes to ensure that this specific piece of land and the acquisition thereof fall within the scope of the SIU investigation,” said spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.

Political Finger-Pointing and Allegations of Overpayment

The deal has stirred political tensions, with Brett Herron, a GOOD party MPL and former Transport and Urban Development Mayco member, questioning the rationale behind the purchase.

Herron claims the land was radically overpriced:

• The City’s land specialists valued the property at R20–21 million, while the province paid R64.4 million.

• A nearby parcel of land, nearly 30% larger and fully developable, had been acquired for just R9 million.

• Seven of the 17 hectares in Table View are wetlands, limiting housing potential.

“The Western Cape Government must explain its irrational purchase of a piece of land for R64.4 million when cheaper, more suitable land was already available,” Herron said.

Herron also noted that the project has not progressed, leaving trains unable to run along the affected rail reserve and raising questions about whether the province achieved value for money as required under the Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA).

Province Responds: Deal Was Standard Procedure

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure welcomed the SIU investigation and promised full cooperation. Melt Botes, spokesperson for MEC Tertuis Simmers, defended the province’s actions:

• The price matched the City of Cape Town’s revised offer of R64 million in 2017.

• The province purchased the land in 2018 at the City’s request.

• Any allegations of overpayment are “unfounded,” as the City had supported the transaction.

Botes also pointed out that project delays were due to appeals lodged by the Racing Park Owners Association and that the province had since installed bulk services. Construction of housing and relocation of residents remains under the City’s jurisdiction.

“For Mr Herron to now call the price ‘radically overpriced’ is both ironic and opportunistic,” Botes said.

A Pattern of Land Deals Under Scrutiny

This Table View deal reflects a broader concern about land acquisition as a vehicle for corruption. Across South Africa, overpriced or poorly planned land purchases have frequently drawn public ire, highlighting the opacity in municipal and provincial procurement processes.

Social media has reacted with a mix of frustration and cynicism. Many users pointed out the seven-year delay, questioning whether the province acted in the public interest or simply overpaid to secure a politically expedient site. Others highlighted the environmental concerns of developing wetlands for housing.

The SIU’s assessment will determine whether the Table View purchase falls under Presidential Proclamation 265, potentially triggering a full investigation into the deal and accountability for those involved.

For now, seven years of stalled plans, political finger-pointing, and millions in taxpayer funds hanging in the balance have made this one of Cape Town’s most infamous and puzzling land deals.

“Land has become an opaque and convenient currency for corruption,” Brett Herron warned, a sentiment echoed by many who have followed the saga since 2018.

The public, eager for answers, will be watching closely as the SIU decides whether to expand its investigation and finally shed light on what happened with this high-stakes, high-cost land purchase.

{Source: IOL}

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