The Public Works and Infrastructure Department has indicated that it’s ready to discuss the issue of the homeless encampment outside the walls of the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town.

Department’s spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, says Minister Sihle Zikalala is willing to work with the city to find a solution.

It comes after Mayor Geodin Hill-Lewis gave the department until the 16th of this month to say whether it pursue the eviction of the people living there. Hill Lewis who wants the area cleared, has said that if the department’s fails to pursue the matter the municipality will approach the court. He says this is to restore the site in the public’s interest.

The homeless encampment is one many that have sprung up in the city centre. Some have described it as an eye sore. But others have said that it points to a bigger issue of a lack of affordable housing and shelter space. Hill-Lewis however disagrees claiming that the City has offered them what he called dignified alternative shelter.