CoCT failing with its approach to tackle homelessness, says social activist
Earlier this week, the High Court granted an eviction order for dozens of people living outside the Castle of Good Hope, requiring them to vacate the site by 17 October.
A group of Homeless people living on the Beitengracht street pavement were served with an order from the Western Cape High Court pending their eviction. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/ Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - A social activist who spent time living on the streets said the City of Cape Town is failing in its approach to rid the streets of homeless people.
Earlier this week, the High Court granted an eviction order for dozens of people living outside the Castle of Good Hope, requiring them to vacate the site by 17 October.
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This comes after hundreds of people were relocated to safe spaces in August, following their removal from occupied sites in Buitengracht Street, Foregate Square, Helen Suzman Boulevard, and the Foreshore.
Homeless activist Carlos Mesquita said even though the city is offering homeless people at the Castle temporary accommodation at safe spaces, many are already unhappy with being locked out of the facilities during the day.
“As of last week, the city was still locking out people between 8am and 5pm, and so most of the individuals that we as organisations had approached on the streets to ask them to give the city a chance have now lost total confidence in the city and have displaced themselves back into the CBD.”
Mesquita fears the same will happen with the people living outside the Castle.
“You will find them sleeping between the courthouse and the SAPS [South African Police Service] building at night, packed like sardines next to each other. So, the impact of these court evictions has been a big round zero.”
The city said it helps around 3,500 individuals with shelter placement or referrals to social services, but ultimately the choice is theirs to take the offer.