City conducts by-law operation in Greenmarket Square
01 March 2020
Statement by Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith
Following on from the court order handed down on 17 February 2020, the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Department this morning undertook a by-law enforcement operation in the area around the Central Methodist Church in the Central Business District.
The order allowed for a seven-day verification process by the Department of Home Affairs of all refugees who have been occupying the space since October 2019.
That verification process terminated this past Friday, 28 February 2020, paving the way for the by-law enforcement operation.
The refugees were apprised of the provisions of the court order, so they have known for more than 10 days that the enforcement operation was coming.
The City, supported by the South African Police Service and the Central City Improvement District moved into the space this morning, in a bid to bring an end to what has been an untenable situation.
We deployed a large number of Law Enforcement officers to prevent an outbreak of violence.
The City of Cape Town is not insensitive to the plight of the refugees, but we can simply not allow the situation to carry on unchecked, as it has had a major impact on surrounding businesses, including the traders on Greenmarket Square.
Furthermore, we are not in a position to provide emergency shelter to the group, given the great need that exists among South Africans, not to mention the precedent that it would set.
We appeal to the refugees to return to the homes they vacated to join the initial occupation of St. George’s Mall. It is not legally or practically possible for the City to supply accommodation and no other sphere of government has agreed to supply such either.
Some of the refugees have left Greenmarket Square – enforcement agencies are monitoring locations to which persons are moving and will act on these if necessary. The court order says refugees may not settle elsewhere in CBD, so persons will be in contempt of court.
We also invite businesses and the public to return to Greenmarket Square and help us revitalise the area.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
