Wynberg evictions: Prasa says it took a position to 'clean up' & 'get rid' of criminal elements
More than 100 homeless people were removed from PRASA-owned land next to the Yusefeyyah Mosque in Wynberg over the weekend following ongoing complaints of crime from the site.
The Yusefeyyah Mosque in Wynberg. Picture: Google Maps
CAPE TOWN - The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) said that it stepped in to remove a group of illegal land occupants living on a portion of PRASA-owned land next to the Yusefeyyah Mosque in Wynberg, adding that the situation was getting out of hand.
More than 100 homeless people were removed from the property over the weekend following ongoing complaints of crime from the site.
Last week, social media was flooded with videos showing a shooting and a stabbing in the area.
PRASA's acting regional manager, Moseli Ntsiki, said that the rail agency needed to act.
"We received a report on Friday that there were shootings and muggings taking place there. So, we then responded because this has been ongoing."
Ntsiki said that incidents of crime in the Wynberg area had increased since the informal settlement was formed up about a year ago.
"Things were escalating and we therefore, as PRASA, took a position that we need to clean up the area and get rid of the elements that were conducting criminal behaviours."
Ntsiki said that the occupants were offered accomodation at shelters but it's not clear whether those offers were accepted.