Brief
Cape Town residents block Equinix data‑centre plan after appeal
A formal appeal has temporarily stopped the approval for a new Equinix data centre in King Air Industria, after residents said they were never consulted.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On 28 September 2026, a group of about 70 activists and community representatives gathered at the Central Methodist Church in Cape Town to challenge the Municipal Planning Tribunal’s approval of a rezoning application that would allow US technology firm Equinix to build a hyperscale data centre on the King Air Industria site. The appeal, lodged in August, has legally suspended the approval until the tribunal’s internal appeal process concludes.
Michael Hoffmeester, a Bishop Lavis community leader who lives less than three kilometres from the proposed site, said the residents were never consulted about the project. He criticised the technical nature of the information supplied by the developers, which he said made it difficult to explain the potential impacts to his neighbours. “We cannot understand them. How can I explain to the community what we were told if I don’t even understand it?” he told the panel discussion hosted by the Housing Assembly.
The rezoning application, which covers rezoning, subdivision, consolidation and amendment of conditions, was approved by the Municipal Planning Tribunal on 14 July. The approval would enable Equinix to construct one, possibly two, data centres at the site. Activists and residents argue that the application should have been rejected because of inadequate information about the data centre’s impact on surrounding communities, particularly on electricity and water resources, emissions and noise.
Other groups present at the meeting included members of non‑profit organisations such as Open Secrets, Foxglove, the Legal Resources Centre, the South African Human Rights Commission and Green Anglicans. Communities surrounding the proposed data centre—Barcelona informal settlement, Bishop Lavis, Gugulethu and KTC—have reported unreliable access to water and electricity, adding to their concerns.
Hoffmeester suggested that the land earmarked for the data centre be used for housing or a recreational area instead. The appeal has temporarily halted the project, pending the tribunal’s decision on the formal internal appeal.
Key facts
- The Municipal Planning Tribunal approved the rezoning application on 14 July 2026 (bizcommunity.com)
- A formal appeal lodged in August has legally suspended the approval (bizcommunity.com)
- Michael Hoffmeester, a Bishop Lavis community leader, said residents were never consulted (bizcommunity.com)
- The appeal cites inadequate information on electricity, water, emissions and noise impacts (bizcommunity.com)
Background
Earlier Felo coverage highlighted community opposition to the city’s plan to cage baboons in Simon’s Town, showing a pattern of local backlash against projects perceived to threaten residents’ welfare. The current data‑centre dispute echoes concerns over environmental and resource impacts raised in protests across the UK and the US.
Timeline
- 2026-07-14 — Municipal Planning Tribunal approved rezoning application for King Air Industria
- 2026-08-?? — Residents lodged formal appeal against the approval
- 2026-09-28 — Community meeting at Central Methodist Church to discuss appeal
Why it matters
The decision could set a precedent for how large tech infrastructure projects are approved in South Africa, affecting future developments and community rights.
What happens next
The Municipal Planning Tribunal will conduct an internal appeal hearing to determine whether the approval should be upheld or revoked.
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as ““We were never consulted” – Cape Town residents challenge Equinix data centre”
