Angry residents gathered at the Bonteheuwel Multi-Purpose Centre on Tuesday to protest against an eviction order by the Centre Manager Rushine February.
The centre is used by the Bonteheuwel Disabled Group, a church, a physical trainer, a women’s senior club and other organisations, who say they will have nowhere else to meet.
In a letter to David Pillay, the coordinator and founder of the Bonteheuwel Disabled Group, February says they are looking to turn the centre into a Covid-19 isolation facility.
Addressing residents yesterday, February said: “The Joint Peace Forum (JPF) asked if this place can be used as a Covid-19 facility, they know the centre and we need to accommodate people from Bonteheuwel who don’t need hospital care, but a safe place to isolate.”
But Pillay says the idea was ill conceived.
“We see to the needs of young people with physical and mental disabilities and here they are kept safe and occupied. What would happen to them if we are shut down?”
Adenaan de Bruyn, 53, who is disabled, says he depends on the facility.
“I’m part of the disabled group and I need to be here daily as I repair wheelchairs for the group and teach others how to do it also.”
The residents’ protest worked and Bontas Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie says an agreement was reached.
“The organisations are allowed back in and will be able to use the centre again when they wish to return,” he says.
“It will no longer be a Covid-19 care centre, there is no need for a Covid-19 care centre in Bonteheuwel as the Province and City provides five-star hotel accommodation for those who need to quarantine.”