People who had been squatting in tents next to the Green Point tennis courts are not happy over their forced relocation from the public space.
The Western Cape High Court awarded a final eviction order in the City of Cape Town’s application over the illegal occupation in and around the city centre (“’Tent city’ final eviction order, Atlantic Sun, December 20, 2023).
Last week City officials accompanied by Law Enforcement assisted the homeless to move to a City Safe Space or another location while others said that they wanted to remain.
Paul Hibbert, 52, and his twin brother, Shaun, had been living in the tent city since 2020 and were not pleased with the idea of moving to Delft.
“They wanted to move us to Delft but that’s out of the question so we are going to Safe Space two because I cannot stay in the open for too long,” said Mr Hibbert who suffers from emphysema.
His brother said that they understand the process of the eviction and opted for the Safe Space instead of building their own shack in Delft.
“At our age it’s not easy to get food or jobs, where must we go skarrel. We have no family and we are going to the Safe Space,” said Shaun.
“They (City officials) said we must take what we need as they don’t have storage facilities at the Safe Space for all our things,” he said.
Lourensa Manuel, 59, has been at the tent city for three years. The City will be moving her to Lansdowne where she will be given materials to build a shelter.
“I don’t know that area and this is what they offered me, so that’s where I’m going, close to a police station they said. My husband is at the Safe Space one and he is working, he has a job with the council so he can stay there, but I can’t stay there because I have a dog. They don’t allow dogs there,” said Ms Manuel.
Ivan Phillips, 56, has been at the tent city for 11 months and had to leave Elsies River due to the gangsterism in the area.
“It’s a difficult situation for us. We were promised houses in Bellville South by the council but now they are moving us to a place where we have to put up another shack, they are moving me to Bonteheuwel,” Mr Phillips said.
“It’s going to be difficult there, where will we get food and odd jobs. We don’t want to be at the Safe Space it doesn’t suit us,” he said.
According to the City, the Sheriff will evict any remaining unauthorised tenants in the coming days; the Atlantic Sun requested a probable date, but the City did not respond at the time of publication.
Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell said the City has been reserving space at its Safe Spaces to accommodate the occupants of the Bill Peters site.
“Last week Social Development was at the site again to engage with the occupants who had indicated that they would take up the offers of alternative accommodation. This includes primarily the offers of relocation to the Safe Space as well as the provision of building kits if they have a verified location to erect this,” Ms Jowell said.
She confirmed that only a small portion initially took up the assistance to move last week.
“The eviction is carried out by the Sheriff of the Court and SAPS. The City will assist as required by the Sheriff. Yes there is capacity to ensure that anyone who needs assistance to the Safe Space will be provided with the assistance and will be transported there along with their belongings,” she said.
“The City has gone to great lengths to extend every offer of care to individuals unlawfully occupying public places in various parts of the city. Accepting social assistance to get off the streets is the best choice for dignity, health, and well-being,” said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The City said its Safe Space model includes dignified shelter; comfort and ablutions; two meals per day; access to a social worker on-site; personal development planning; various social services including identity document and social grant assistance; family reunification services; access to substance and alcohol abuse treatment; skills training; help finding a job, and access to Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) work placement.
