Civil rights organisations are monitoring the City’s evictions where homeless people, some families with children, are being removed from the city centre in line with a Western Cape High Court order.
Law Enforcement supported by police conducted its operations on Thursday morning, removing items such as tents and structures and loading them into trucks along FW de Klerk Boulevard, Strand Street and Foregate Square and Mill Street in Gardens.
The City had approached the court last year and a final eviction order was granted in June for people in seven encampment sites including Buitengracht, the taxi rank, Helen Suzman Boulevard, Strand Street and Virginia Avenue to move by July 30.
Voluntary relocations were made last week, where people moved to the City’s Safe Spaces facilities while others refused, leading to the evictions on Thursday.
According to the City, one person was arrested for riotous behaviour; however, police were yet to confirm this.
“The City’s various affected departments, including Social Development, Cleansing and Law Enforcement, carried out the order, duly accompanied by SAPS, as provided for in the court order in terms of unlawful occupation of numerous public spaces in the CBD.
“Persons who accepted accommodation at the City’s Ebenezer Safe Space were assisted in relocating to the facility.
“A few asked to be relocated to their communities of origin and the City duly assisted in this. The City’s offer of dignified transitional shelter and social services remains available at all times for those who have not yet accepted this offer. No families are being separated and the assistance of the provincial Social Development Department for placement of families with minor children takes place,” the City said.
It added that with more operations expected, there was still space available to take up in its various safe space shelters and NPO assistance from the Haven, U-turn and MES.
Civil Society Unmuted Coalition (CSUC) provincial chairperson Ndodana Hadebe said they were closely monitoring developments related to the evictions as there were reports that some were unlawful and not according to what was stated in the court papers.
“While we acknowledge the necessity to adhere to court orders, we emphasise the importance of ensuring that evictees are provided with adequate alternative accommodation.
“It is unacceptable for individuals and families to be left stranded without proper shelter, which only exacerbates their vulnerability.
“While we welcome the changes on Safe Space One and the rules and regulations and operations have been amended and changed, evictions should always be considered as a last resort and must be carried out in a humane and sensitive manner, taking into consideration the needs and rights of those affected.
“The Civil Society Unmuted Coalition will continue to actively monitor the living conditions in the shelters and advocate for the rights of evictees.
We call on all stakeholders, including government officials and civil society organisations, non-profit dealing with homelessness to work together towards finding sustainable solutions to the challenges of housing and evictions in Western Cape and South Africa,” said Hadebe.
Cape Times