Cape Town - A group of homeless people occupying a field in Baxter Street in Durbanville are facing eviction after the high court granted the City’s application for eviction notices to be served on the unlawful occupants.
The squatters have been living in the field since the lockdown, despite protests from residents living nearby.
The residents were concerned that the field had no running water, toilets, or fire-making facilities. This they said resulted in many cases where pupils from a neighbouring primary school were exposed to indecency.
The area was inspected more than 39 times by the City since January and numerous clean-up activities have been conducted by community organisations, churches, and residents.
The City said the unlawful occupants receiving notices were those who consistently refused all offers of social assistance. It said the notices would be served before the next court hearing on December 20, where the court may grant a final eviction order.
Should the application for a final eviction order be opposed by the group, it said the court was likely to reconvene early next year.
Ward councillor Theresa Uys said the majority of the occupants refused assistance. By last month Uys said seven surveys were conducted with five men and two women and offered the option of the services and being able to move to a safe space.
She said a recent inspection showed that the Baxter Street occupation had grown from about 15 structures to close to 30.
“Baxter Road and De Villiers Road have seen an increase in the number of structures, the growth of these ‘settlements’ is monitored by Social Development and the Displaced People Unit.
“The intention is to assist them; ideally to reintegrate them with their families, if possible, and to encourage them to take up the offer of emergency accommodation at the City’s and ward’s safe spaces,” she said.
CM Homeless Consultant and Homeless Solutions founder Carlos Mesquita said one of the main reasons homeless people declined shelters was that it took away their livelihoods.
“What needs to be taken into consideration… is that the occupants are mostly chronic homeless people… these people are adults and independent and through lack of services throughout the years as a way of earning a living,” he said