A family of seven has been evicted from a City of Cape Town property following a court order.
Marvin August, his wife and five children have been backyard dwellers at 29B Saffraan Road in Bonteheuwel for more than 15 years.
The family say they have no connection with the tenant of the property, who was kicked out due to illegal occupation.
Marvin says he received a call from his wife on Wednesday while he was at work, to say officials were breaking down their Wendy house and left their belongings on the pavement.
Marvin got a call saying City officials were breaking down their Wendy house and left their belongings on the pavement. Picture: Leon Knipe
According to neighbours, the tenant of the house was a drug addict, while Marvin and his family were “good church-going people”.
Neighbours and family members have taken in the five children while the couple was given a place to stay at Protea Primary.
“I have also been on the housing list for almost 20 years,” says Marvin.
“We were living in the back. We don’t do drugs, and we do not bother people.
“The children cried as they were thrown out of their home like criminals.”
Marvin August, his wife and five children have been backyard dwellers for more than 15 years. Picture: Leon Knipe
But the City’s Mayco Member for Human Settlements, Malusi Booi, says the eviction order was obtained in November 2018 and there was sufficient time for all occupants of the property to make alternative living arrangements.
“The eviction was executed on Wednesday after many requests for the unlawful occupants to move out voluntarily.
“The eviction order was obtained based on the unlawful occupation of the City rental dwelling, and was not about drugs as is being alleged.”
A family of seven was evicted from a City of Cape Town property following a court order. Picture: Leon Knipe