High Court orders the serving of eviction notices at Baxter Street unlawful occupation | High Court orders the serving of eviction notices at Baxter Street unlawful occupation | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Former%20Mayors%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"century gothic", sans-serif;">The Western Cape High Court has granted the City of
Cape Town’s application for eviction notices to be served on unlawful occupants
at Baxter Street, Durbanville. Notices will be served prior to the next court
hearing on 20 December, where the court may grant a final eviction order. </span></em></strong><br></p> | <p></p><p>Over time, City Social Development officials have made offers of social assistance to those unlawfully occupying the public space at Baxter Street, including offers of dignified transitional shelter at NGO-run night shelters and City-run Safe Spaces.</p><p> </p><p>These facilities offer programmes to help people off the streets sustainably, and to reintegrate into society, or reunite with family. Personal development planning and employment opportunities are available, as are referrals for mental health, medical, and substance abuse treatment. </p><p> </p><p>While some have accepted these offers of support, the unlawful occupants receiving notices are those who have consistently refused all offers of social assistance.</p><p> </p><p>Accepting sustainable solutions off the streets is the best choice for dignity, health, and well-being.</p><p> </p><p>At the same time, our city's public places serve important social, community and economic purposes, and must be open and available to all. </p><p> </p><p>No person has the right to reserve a public space as exclusively theirs, while indefinitely refusing all offers of shelter and social assistance.</p><p> </p><p>Should the City's application for a final eviction order be opposed by any of the Baxter Street respondents, then the court is likely to reconvene early in the new year to hear arguments.</p><p> </p><p><strong>City expanding Safe Space dignified transitional shelter</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The City recognises the need to expand dignified transitional shelters in Cape Town, coupled with social programmes focusing on reintegration into society. </p><p> </p><p>Besides supporting NGO-run shelters, the City will spend at least R142 million over 3 years to expand and operate City-run Safe Spaces beyond the CBD and Bellville.</p><p> </p><p>In Durbanville, consideration is being given to options for a new Safe Space in the area, among these being, inter alia, at the new PTI Development.</p><p>The City's Safe Space model includes: </p><ul><li>dignified shelter, </li><li>comfort and ablutions, </li><li>two meals per day, </li><li>access to a social worker on-site, </li><li>personal development planning, </li><li>various social services including ID Book and social grant assistance, </li><li>family reunification services</li><li>access to substance and alcohol abuse treatment, </li><li>skills training, </li><li>help finding a job, and </li><li>access to EPWP work placement</li></ul><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>End</strong></p><p><br></p> | 2022-11-21T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#332b80ff-fa7b-4b63-aeff-5ec45b65fe4d;L0|#0332b80ff-fa7b-4b63-aeff-5ec45b65fe4d|eviction;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GPP|#632815ae-33d6-4255-bae7-4783535a5604;GP0|#81cfd7a3-f33e-4c34-88fa-62a90d776fc9;L0|#081cfd7a3-f33e-4c34-88fa-62a90d776fc9|notice;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#751ecd0f-0d86-4bec-8c4c-431ddf3de056;L0|#0751ecd0f-0d86-4bec-8c4c-431ddf3de056|durbanville;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |