The City of Cape Town’s bid to obtain an eviction order for unlawful occupations in the Cape Town CBD has been delayed until October due to a late notice of opposition filed by a Johannesburg-based NGO.
The Socio Economic Rights Institute (SERI) submitted the notice just before the deadline, prompting criticism from city officials who argue that the delay will cause further harm to people living on the streets in Cape Town during the winter months.
‘We are disappointed by the late filing of SERI’s notice to oppose, which came well after the deadline for doing so had passed,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
‘This has caused a delay in the hearing of the matter and wastes valuable state resources. The delay means that people will continue to live on the streets during the cold winter months, which is unacceptable.’
The City of Cape Town has been working to provide transitional shelter and social assistance to people living on the streets, with the aim of getting them off the streets permanently.
However, the City argues that no one has the right to unlawfully occupy public spaces indefinitely, especially when they have been offered help to find alternative accommodation.
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The City has been engaging with people living on the streets, assessing their social circumstances and offering help where needed.
They have also been expanding their Safe Space transitional shelter programme, which offers dignified shelter, meals, access to social services, skills training, treatments and employment opportunities.
Despite these efforts, there are still people who refuse to leave the public spaces they have unlawfully occupied, prompting the City to approach the courts for assistance in enforcing the law.
The City’s Street People programme has a budget of R94.75 million for the 2023/24 financial year, which includes funding for Safe Space transitional shelters, grant-in-aid funding for NGOs, and the Matrix substance abuse treatment programme.
The City plans to expand its Safe Space capacity in Bellville, Muizenberg, Durbanville and other parts of the metro, in collaboration with NGO partners, CIDs and residents.
While the delay caused by the late notice to oppose is disappointing, the City remains committed to providing dignified transitional shelter and help to those on the streets, with court assistance where necessary, and hopes to continue expanding its Safe Space facilities to provide more support to those in need.
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Picture: Unsplash