The refugee situation in Cape Town seems to be far from being settled as the City of Cape Town is now considering returning to the Western Cape High Court to seek further relief.
On Sunday, the City undertook an operation in Greenmarket Square in the CBD, as provided for in the court order granted on 25 February, to remove hundreds of refugees that have been squatting there for the past four months.
This was preceded by a seven-day verification process by the Department of Home Affairs of persons who had been residing in public spaces around the Central Methodist Church.
Addressing the media in the Civic Centre on Thursday, mayoral committee member for safety and security Alderman JP Smith said the City cannot relocate the refugees.
“That is beyond local government and ability,” Smith said.
JP Smith said the City cannot relocate the refugees. Picture: Velani Ludidi
However the City is in the process of assisting the refugees with reintegration where they have indicated their willingness.
Some of the refugees who were removed from Greenmarket Square then invaded the grounds of the St. Mary’s Cathedral but were forcibly removed after the church laid charges of trespassing with the police.
There are currently 200 refugees on the streets of the CBD and Smith says there are shelters willing to assist them, with 171 beds made available.
“We used a loud hailer to inform people that we have bed space available. They would need to meet the admission requirements, the night shelters do not belong to the City.”
But he says those who wanted to take up the offer “were intimidated by their leaders and there are attorneys” to refuse the offer.
He says some refugees have moved to public open spaces within the CBD placing them in contempt of the court order.
But when some were arrested and taken to the Cape Town Central Police Station, cops refused to lay a charge, disputing the court order.
“SAPS has expressed the view that the High Court would have to be approached again for such relief,” says Smith.
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith says they managed to get 171 beds for the 200 refugees who are currently sleeping in the City streets. Video: Velani Ludidi
The City must now consider whether to approach the High Court urgently for further relief, or whether to deal with this issue on the return date of 17 March.
Smith says the current refugee situation cannot be compared to that of 2008 when there were widespread xenophobic attacks, and the municipality offered shelter to those who were affected.
“In 2008 we invoked a piece of legislation called the Disaster Management Act,” he explains.
“It allowed us emergency measures to roll out services to people.
“We cannot envoke that now because there is no evidence suggesting xenophobic attacks in Cape Town.”
JP Smith says police refused to detain the refugees despite being in contempt of court. Video: Velani Ludidi
He complained about a lack of assistance from Home Affairs, who he says have a constitutional obligation to assist refugees.
“It is not possible for us to offer alternative accommodation but we will assist as far as possible to find interim shelter and reintegrate people with the homes they were living in before.”