Durban - Fifty-four refugee children are being kept at a Durban place of safety while 75 adults, including their parents and other relatives, were expected in court on Monday.
They had refused to quit the sports field in Westcliff, Chatsworth, on Friday where victims of the xenophobic violence had been sheltered in tents.
The adults have been charged with contravening city by-laws as well as terms of the Child Care Act, and were expected to appear in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court.
The site was officially closed by eThekwini Municipality on Tuesday, with the city and the UN High Commission for Refugees offering to transport the refugees to locations of their choice.
The tents were taken down and the water and electricity supply disconnected to encourage the refugees to leave.
Early on Friday the SAPS, Department of Social Development officials, Durban metro police and the municipality descended on the grounds, arresting refugees who refused to budge.
Police spokesman, Colonel Jay Naicker, said: “These people refused all assistance offered by government and NGOs and refused the integration packages of between R3 300 to R7 000 offered by the UN. They will be charged for contravening city by-laws and the Child Care Act.”
He said the arrested people were taken to the Chatsworth police station and the minors were handed over to the Department of Social Development.
Provincial police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, said it was unfortunate that the group chose to disregard warnings by government and “blatantly contravened the laws of the country”.
Social Development spokesman, Vukani Mbhele, said the minors were taken to Aryan Benevolent Home in Chatsworth.
The Daily News confirmed on Monday that 54 children were being kept at the home.
“We will look after them as long as it is necessary,” said Mbele.
The refugees are among thousands displaced since the violent attacks on foreigners in March.
Spokesman for the arrested group, Amuri Djuma, of the Democratic Republic of Congo, said the group’s security concern was legitimate.
“Those who refused to leave the camp were justified because you can’t rent a place and see to family needs on R7 000. We will support our brothers and sisters in court.”
Daily News