Justitie Plaats and the Strafpaal

The Justitie Plaats (Justice square) and the Strafpaal at the corner of Darling Street and Buitekant Street was a place of punishment and execution of slaves, Khoena, and others. People were brought here for torture and execution, following their trial at the Castle. There was a post to which the convicted slaves and persons were tied while the were punished in public. Whipping, hanging, crucifixion and a host of other cruelties took place at this site, which is unmarked. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was situated to the south of the Castle, on De Buitenkant outside the Dutch East India Company’s settlement. According to historic maps this area had been an open piece of land on the Table Bay shoreline. In the 1760s it also appeared to have been the site of gallows. For most of the 18th century the area had been used as a site for execution (Justitie plaats). Authorities hoped that public executions would deter crime and resistance by slaves. Today it is a spiritual centre.