The City of Cape Town returns to the Western Cape High Court this week for a crucial hearing on their application for a final eviction order for various homeless encampment sites in the CBD.
Also read: City enables 63% more Haven Night Shelter beds to help homeless
The hearing marks the culmination of numerous care interventions by the CoCT over the last 18 months to help the homeless off the street while also preserving public spaces for broad public use.
Yesterday, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that CoCT had extended offers of social assistance, help with addiction treatment, dignified alternative shelter, job placement and other care interventions.
He added that while some have embraced the support, others have persistently declined it, forcing the city to seek the court’s help as a last resort.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you and fuel your imagination! Get them here.
‘The court order was set down for April before it was delayed by opposition from a Johannesburg NGO,’ explained Hill-Lewis.
‘Importantly, this application follows the city’s comprehensive efforts to offer care and support to help the homeless off the streets.’
‘Our efforts include dignified alternate accommodation at our safe spaces, psycho-social support, support for addictions, work readiness programs and more.’
‘Even now, at the point of the final eviction hearing, all of this support remains available to all of those affected.’
‘Where offers to help have been persistently refused we must now seek the court’s help as a last resort.’
‘No person has the right to reserve a public space as exclusively theirs while indefinitely refusing all offers of shelter and social assistance.’
‘We commit that our offers of care and assistance remain available to all who need it, and will remain available even if and when the eviction is granted.’
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
Also read:
‘I was fearing for my life’ officer tells court during homeless murder trial
Picture: Supplied / CoCT