Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Matthew Hirsch
Published on 2024-02-22 13:39:54
On Tuesday, we reported how the community had been facing imminent eviction for weeks and how some people had chosen to relocate voluntarily. But many were not happy with the relocation offers and decided to stay put. When GroundUp arrived at the scene we found some people sitting outside the camp with all their belongings. Some were still packing their things in boxes and suitcases. At about 9.30am, a man with a megaphone, accompanied by law enforcement and police officers, said: “All of them out… We will demolish all these structures.” Amid the ensuing chaos a woman’s bag was stolen outside the site by a passerby. Another woman was dragged from the camp by law enforcement officers. Some tents caught fire. The fire was quickly extinguished by fire and rescue vehicles, but not before people lost their belongings. Muriel Baard sits with her belongings before the start of the eviction. Baard said that she didn’t know where she would sleep. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) The people we spoke to told us they didn’t know where they were going to sleep now. The City “promised us they were going to give us places, but now they are putting us out without giving us places”, said Muriel Baard, sitting outside the tennis courts with her belongings. “Now, I don’t know what’s going to happen. They are forcing us out.” She was most worried that her Sassa documents and ID might be stolen. She said she was homeless because there were problems at home. Lourensa Manuel was unsure where to go with her dog as shelters don’t accept animals. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) On Tuesday we reported how Lourensa Manuel and her dog, Selah, were moved to the City’s Safe Space, but she didn’t stay there because she would have been forced to give up Selah. “I’m very stressed out at the moment… I’ve no idea what I’m going to do. I’ve lost everything in this process.” Collecting what he can, this man was waving a South African flag. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) Police start removing people. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) Police tell people to leave. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) A woman is dragged from the site after refusing to leave. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) After being dragged out, she lay crying on the ground. Help was offered by her family but she refused to move. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) She then attempted to attack an officer. She was later seen running into the middle of the road, brick in hand, against traffic before she was apprehended by police. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) Tensions continued to rise as people claimed that their bags had been stolen. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) A fire broke out among the tents during the eviction. It is unclear how it started. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) A metro police officer tries to put out the fire. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) As the fire grew, people tried to remove their belongings that were situated near the fence. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) Firefighters eventually arrived to put out the fire. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell (DA) told GroundUp the eviction was conducted in an “orderly process”. She said the sheriff had been at the site several times to inform people. “A lot of the occupants had already left. The City remains on the scene to remove all the litter, debris and building materials. Social development were at the site as well,” said Jowell. “There has been a long process of engagement. It’s unfortunate that it’s come to the point where the eviction had to be carried out. Every undertaking has been made to assist people off the street. We do hope that those offers, if they’re not already taken up, are now taken.” City statement Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith released a statement on Thursday morning, saying the eviction was under way after “a roughly two-year legal process”. “During this period Law Enforcement’s displaced people unit and the City’s social development officials engaged the illegal occupants on multiple occasions to offer them alternative accommodation. “These offers of alternative accommodation are continuing today. “The City is committed to clearing occupied public spaces across the Metropole. We are increasing our safe space footprint and adding resources to our displaced people unit within Law Enforcement.” DM The community was facing an imminent eviction for weeks, and while some chose to relocate voluntarily, others were not happy with the relocation offers and decided to stay put. When GroundUp arrived at the scene, they found people sitting outside the camp with all their belongings, some still packing their things in boxes and suitcases. At about 9:30 am, law enforcement and police officers arrived with a man who used a megaphone to announce the demolition of all the structures. Chaos ensued as a woman’s bag was stolen, another woman was dragged from the camp by law enforcement, and some tents caught fire. The fire was eventually extinguished, but not before people lost their belongings.
Those who were forced to leave expressed their uncertainty about where they would sleep. Muriel Baard, one of the affected individuals, said that the City had promised them places but was now putting them out without providing alternative accommodation, leaving them homeless. Lourensa Manuel, who had her dog Selah with her, was unsure where to go as shelters did not accept animals. Although she had been moved to the City’s Safe Space, she did not stay there because she would have had to give up her dog. Other individuals, including one man who was seen waving a South African flag, were deeply distressed by the situation.
The eviction process involved police removing people from the site, with some individuals responding by refusing to leave or attempting to attack officers. Tensions escalated further as people claimed that their bags had been stolen, and a fire broke out among the tents, causing further distress and loss of belongings. Despite these challenges, city officials claimed the eviction was conducted in an “orderly process” and that alternative accommodation offers were continuing. The city emphasized its commitment to clearing occupied public spaces and increasing its resources for displaced people.
The situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by vulnerable communities during eviction processes. The lack of suitable alternative accommodation and support for those affected raises questions about the effectiveness and fairness of such eviction procedures. It also underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing sustainable solutions to support marginalized communities. As the city continues its efforts to address issues of public space and displaced individuals, it is crucial to prioritize compassion and human rights in its approach.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
