Several homeless people living on Buitengracht Street in Cape Town’s city centre have said they will not move into Safe Space accommodation provided by the City of Cape Town (CoCT) following a Western Cape High Court order granting their removal.
Also read: Court grants order to evict hundreds of people living on streets of Cape Town
Last week, the court ruled that approximately 200 occupiers living on seven pavements in tents and structures made of cloth and plastic around the CBD have until 30 July 2024, to vacate the area before the sheriff enforces the eviction order.
The order was granted under the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Act.
In his judgement, acting judge Michael Bishop engaged the plight of those living on the streets.
‘We can only care about the homeless when we see ourselves in them, we can only realise our own humanity if we commit to realising theirs, when we see that we are all a few bad decisions and some bad luck from life on the pavements.’
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‘The City consists of and belongs to those who work in its corner offices and live in the mansions of Higgovale and Clifton, just as much as those who eke out a living on the city’s streets and sleep on its pavements and parks,’ he added.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis applauded the decision in a video statement on social media platform X.
Hill also emphasised that his office was committed to supporting the homeless.
‘Seeking an eviction order was always our last resort, we extended our care interventions [temporary accommodation known as safe spaces] knowing that some would take them and some would not, we knew that when our interventions were not taken up, we would have to rely on on the courts for help so this court order is good news,’ he said.
However, residents of Buitengracht Street, one of the city’s main connecting roads with upmarket office buildings, restaurants and hotels, claim they have been abused by law enforcement for years and that the interdict is only intended to tailor the city’s image.
Speaking with EWN, Gary van Niekerk, who has been living on the streets since the age of ten, stated that the homeless are being treated like animals and that what is being done is not in their best interests and should be challenged in court.
‘We are not going to the shelter, and they are not going to let [force] us to go,’ he added.
Others stated that if the City enforces the interdict, they will find other places to hide.
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Also read:
City supports eviction application for removal of unlawful occupants surrounding Castle of Good Hope
Picture: Ev / Unsplash