The City of Cape Town has confirmed that they have been in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and Public Works Department to obtain an eviction order for Bellville’s Paint City and Kensington’s Wingfield settlements.
Also read: Cape Town opens another new Safe Space homeless shelter
According to IOL, asylum seekers originally occupied the Methodist Church on Green Market Square in 2019 before approximately 600 individuals were relocated to Bellville’s Paint City under the Disaster Management Act during the Covid-19 lockdown.
However, facing potential eviction, the asylum seekers expressed their desire to be relocated to another country due to alleged xenophobic treatment. Despite their request, the UNHCR declined to assist them.
An internal dispute among the asylum seekers resulted in approximately 150 individuals being evicted from Paint City and relocated outside the facility.
Last week, all asylum seekers, including those residing in tents, were informed of the impending relocation. Plans for eviction were set in motion earlier this year, with the City announcing on March 27, 2024, its intention to remove illegal occupants, as reported by TygerBurger, via News24.
Also read:
Residents condemn City’s plan to relocate Paint City Safe Space
Picture: Google Maps