National government is pushing ahead with its plans to relocate people who have been illegally occupying the central railway line in Cape Town within the next two weeks. 

The recovery plan for the central line, which is a crucial rail network, has been operating at a limited capacity due to informal settlements obstructing the railway line, primarily in Philippi.

On Monday, three national ministers visited the problematic central line in Langa and Philippi to get a first-hand account of the state of the railway line.

Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga and Public Works Minister Sihle Zikalala conducted an inspection of the railway tracks where around 1 500 people have been living illegally.

The visit comes hot on the heels of the national government and the City of Cape Town appearing before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) last month, to report back on developments to get the Central line up and running again. 

The parliamentary committee heard that 800 shacks in Philippi would be removed from the railway line within two weeks, until a permanent solution is found. 

During their visit on Monday, the ministers held a community stakeholder engagement, and met with local leaders and councillors in the area.

Chikunga told stakeholders that passenger rail was the backbone of transport in the city.

"We must find a solution to this so that we can get the railway working again. And we will find a solution with your support,"  she said.

More than 5 000 households occupy the land along the troubled train line between Nyanga and central Cape Town – which has been out of commission since 2019 – making it impossible for Prasa to fully restore operations.

Zikalala told journalists that his department had been unable to secure land for the relocation. 

"Public works are trying to find land for human settlements purposes. We believe that through engagements with the municipality we will be able to secure land," he said.