Social justice activist calls for sustainable interventions for homeless people in CT
The call comes after the High Court this week granted an order to have dozens of people living outside the Castle of Good Hope removed from the site.
FILE Homeless people living on the streets of the City of Cape Town were given until 30 July 2024 to vacate following an eviction order by the Western Cape High Court. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/ Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - A social justice activist is calling for long-term sustainable interventions for homeless people living on the streets of Cape Town.
The call comes after the High Court this week granted a final eviction order to have dozens of people living outside the Castle of Good Hope, owned by the National Public Works Department, removed from the site for unlawful occupation.
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The occupants, who have been living on the government-owned land in tents and makeshift structures alongside the castle's moat since the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, have until 17 October to vacate the property.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Thursday welcomed the eviction order, saying it had been a long time overdue.
"This occupation began during the national lockdown and the city has long been advocating for a resolution, not only because of the Castle's tourism and economic importance, but also for the sake of the unlawful occupants themselves."
While Hill-Lewis said that the occupants would be offered temporary accommodation at safe spaces, social justice activist, Dean Ramjoomia, said that this was not enough.
"Very ironic, that in less than two months, the overwhelming number of people that stay at the city's safe spaces leave within that period of time. So where is the long-term sustainable interventions?"
The mayor said that programmes at safe spaces offered access to social rehabilitation and work placement.