A large group of City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers - some wearing masks over their mouths - yesterday broke down the structures of foreign nationals living on the pavement along Burg and Longmarket streets at Greenmarket Square in the CBD.
Officers loaded the possessions of the foreigners onto trucks, following the Western Cape High Court court order more than a week ago that the refugees may no longer live, sleep, cook and wash in public spaces.
The refugees had been squatting in Greenmarket Square for about five months.
The court order does not affect those occupying the
Central Methodist Church.
Law-enforcement officers take down structures that had been erected in Greenmarket Square in the Cape Town CBD by refugees. David Ritchie African News Agency (ANA)
Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the court order allowed for a seven-day verification process by the home affairs department of all refugees who had been occupying the space since October 2019.
That verification process finished on Friday, paving the way for the by-law enforcement operation, he said.
“The refugees were appraised of the provisions of the court order, so they have known for more than 10 days that the enforcement operation was coming,” said Smith.
“The City of Cape Town is not insensitive to the plight of the refugees, but we can simply not allow the situation to carry on unchecked, as it has had a major impact on surrounding businesses, including the traders on Greenmarket Square.”
Law-enforcement officers take down structures that had been erected in Greenmarket Square in the Cape Town CBD by refugees. David Ritchie African News Agency (ANA)
It was unclear where the refugees were being moved to but Smith urged them to return to the homes they vacated.
“It is not legally or practically possible for the City to supply accommodation and no other sphere of government has agreed to supply such either.
“We also invite businesses and the public to return to Greenmarket Square and help us revitalise the area,” Smith added.
African News Agency