Private property developers at the centre of a legal dispute expected the court to ‘get blood out of a stone’ when they asked that Bromwell Street residents in Woodstock – who are facing eviction – pay their legal costs. A Cape Times report says the lawyer for Woodstock Hub had asked the Western Cape High Court yesterday to order the residents to pay for the legal fees.

Many of them earn less than R3 500 a month. Judge Leslie Weinkove said: ‘You can’t get blood out of a stone, these aren’t rich people.’

Nine families were in court yesterday to argue whether the City has a constitutional responsibility to assist them with temporary emergency housing. The residents want the location of the placement to be close to where they currently live, as opposed to the City’s plan to move them to Wolwerivier, about 35km from the CBD. Advocate Sheldon Magardie, for the residents, asked for a postponement to allow for the residents to apply for all social housing developments in the City. ‘They will be homeless tomorrow if they are evicted.’

This was granted and a draft order was agreed upon.

Full Cape Times report (subscription needed)