The group of seven queer activists occupying a Camps Bay mansion since September 18 to draw attention to safety, land and housing issues have been accused of slaughtering sheep on the premises.
In a series of Instagram stories on Wednesday [October 7], the occupiers can be heard speaking with a representative from the SPCA, who say they were sent to the upmarket home after complaints that the occupiers were harming sheep on the property.
Jaco Pietere of the SPCA explains they they had to obtain a court order to enter the Camps Bay home that is unlawfully occupied. The SPCA successfully obtained a court order from the Cape Town magistrates court after being denied access by the occupiers.
In the videos, the occupiers deny that they have any animals on the premises, and argue that the neighbours are lying to cast a bad light on them.
The group appeared in the Cape Town High Court on Friday, October 2 after receiving an eviction notice, and were ordered to vacate the property by midday on Thursday, October 8.
The City of Cape Town indicated that alternative shelter in Philippi would be made available for the occupiers if they meet the minimum requirements. The emergency accommodation offered by the city would be constructed as temporary shelter on an open field in Philippi. The occupiers have rejected the alternative housing, calling it unjust and inhumane.
“None of these options are adequate, none of these options are safe and sensitive to the realities of queer persons. These are not options at all actually and depicts the real ways that the City of Cape Town “works for us’,” they said in a statement.
“We plan to vacate the property on 8th October 2020 in accordance with the high court ruling made on 2 October 2020. In order to do that and ensure none of us will be homeless or left to the discretion of the City of Cape Town, we are needing to find alternative, safe and dignified temporary homes for those who need it in our family.
“We have a trans female sister and four queer sisters who are in need of accommodation that will enable them to have time to find their feet and heal before going out on their own again.”
They appeal to the public for support in securing:
– Three months rent-free accommodation
– Rent support for those who are able to find accommodation themselves
– A house share situation where family members are able to move into and split the rental.
Picture: Turnkey Properties
