On 31 October 2016, the Built Environment and Landscape Committee (BELCom) of Heritage Western Cape approved the application by the University of Cape Town for the permanent removal of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes from its campus. In coming to its decision, the BELCom took into consideration 2 heritage reports prepared by heritage consultants, a technical report which considered the physical state of the statue and submissions from interested and affected parties.

The BELCom also took note of preamble of the National Heritage Resources Act 1999, Act 25 of 1999, and more especially the importance of heritage in promoting national well-being and nation building. The statue currently represents cultural distress to many, which cannot be ignored. The Committee resolved to approve the permanent removal of the statue subject to the following conditions:

• The continued storage and safe-keeping of the statue by UCT.
• The future location of the statue is subject to HWC approval.
• The future of the upper and lower plinth and the role of the plinth in the reinterpretation of the space previously occupied by the statue is subject to a separate Section 27 application and needs to be informed by a consultation process.
• Any proposed conservation work to the statue is subject to HWC approval.

Issued - 4 November 2016