The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Central Line Relocation Programme is a national government-led intervention aimed at restoring safe and reliable commuter rail services in Cape Town, while ensuring the dignified and lawful relocation of households occupying the rail reserve.

Following the suspension of Central Line services in 2019 due to safety risks and infrastructure vandalism, national, provincial and local government partners concluded an Implementation Protocol in March 2022. The HDA was appointed as the Implementing Agent to facilitate relocations and support the recovery of this critical rail corridor.

An estimated 5,195 households are affected across Langa, Philippi and Khayelitsha. Working with PRASA, the national Departments of Human Settlements and Transport, the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town, the HDA is implementing a phased programme that balances immediate rail recovery with long-term human settlements solutions.

Operation Bhekela: Immediate Rail Recovery

To restore services while permanent relocations progress, Operation Bhekela enabled limited rail operations through targeted infilling and temporary relocations. This has allowed the phased reopening of the Central Line from Cape Town CBD to Kapteinsklip, with stations and network infrastructure progressively rehabilitated.

Approximately 70% of recovery works have been completed, with full restoration continuing through 2025.

Long-Term Relocations

• Phase 1: Langa – Relocation of approximately 1,254 households, supported by land acquired at the Wedge Area and ongoing statutory approvals.
• Phase 2: Philippi and Khayelitsha – Relocation of approximately 3,688 households, supported through land acquisition, expropriation processes and alternative site identification.

As an Implementing Agent, the HDA manages the relocation programme end-to-end, from land acquisition and planning to stakeholder coordination and implementation.