![South Africa judge rules government must begin restitution process for Apartheid displacement](https://www.jurist.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/11/District-Six-Museum.jpg)
The Land Claims Court sitting at the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town, South Africa, ruled in favor of the District Six land claimants on Monday, ordering the government to provide a program for redevelopment of the area.
District Six residents brought forth claims as early as 20 years ago for restitution for being forced out of the area during apartheid. Geoff Budlender, a lawyer representing a group of District Six residents, put forth arguments pointing to the government’s inadequate process of providing restitution for the residents.
Judge Jody Kollapen granted three of six motions put forth by the claimants. Kollapen order the Land Reform and Rural Developments Minister and the Commission of Restitution of Land Rights to quickly create a plan to give restitution to the District Six residents. The government will be required to report back to the court within three months.
Chairperson of the District Six Working Committee, Shahied Ajam, commented, “I’m 60 years old. I was forcibly removed from District Six when I was 18 years old. … We need to take cognizance of the fact that today was a meaningful day.”