Eviction of foreigners in Cape Town begins as authorities serve notices to unlawful occupants. Image: Esa Alexander.
(The Post News) – Eviction of foreigners in Cape Town is now set to proceed after the Western Cape High Court authorized authorities to serve notices to hundreds of unlawful occupants. Around 360 foreign nationals have been living on land owned by the City of Cape Town and the national government since the Covid-19 pandemic. These individuals have consistently demanded relocation to countries abroad, citing fears of xenophobia, instead of reintegrating into South African communities.
Background of Foreigners’ Eviction in Cape Town
The dispute stretches back to October 2019, when groups of refugees, many of them from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, began protesting in Cape Town. They gathered outside the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, asking for international intervention and permanent relocation to safer countries. Claiming they faced threats and discrimination in South Africa, they decided to occupy Greenmarket Square and later the Central Methodist Church. Their demonstrations attracted public attention but also led to tensions with local residents and businesses who complained about disruption.
Following months of standoff, a court order was issued, which resulted in their removal from the city center. They were moved to temporary accommodation during the height of the Covid-19 lockdown. Two major sites were used for this relocation: Wingfield in Maitland, under the custodianship of the Department of Public Works, and Paint City in Bellville, owned by the city. The plan was meant to be temporary, providing immediate shelter while the Department of Home Affairs and the UN Refugee Agency completed repatriation, deportation, or reintegration programs.
Officials reported that many people accepted assistance through these processes. Some were voluntarily repatriated to their home countries, others integrated into South African communities, and a number found support through nonprofit organizations. However, approximately 360 individuals refused all offers of reintegration and continued to demand relocation to first-world countries. Authorities explained that many of them are living in family groups and sustaining themselves through informal economic activity, yet they remain in unlawful occupation of the sites.
Eviction of Foreigners in Cape Town Gains Legal Approval
The recent decision by the Western Cape High Court gives the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Public Works, and the City of Cape Town legal permission to begin evictions. About 160 people are still based at the Wingfield site, while close to 200 continue to occupy Paint City. Reports suggest that the Bellville location has seen increasing hostility, not only among occupants but also directed at law enforcement. This has made management of the site more difficult and has raised concerns about safety in the surrounding community.
Authorities emphasized that the Department of Home Affairs has been covering the costs of tented accommodation for several years, placing strain on public resources. The city argued that the ongoing unlawful occupation has generated numerous complaints from residents, including crime incidents, traffic congestion, and waste problems. By seeking eviction of foreigners in Cape Town, officials hope to restore these areas for public use and bring an end to living conditions they describe as undignified.
For the remaining foreigners, the legal process means that eviction notices will soon be formally delivered. Authorities have stated that reintegration opportunities remain open, but relocation abroad will not be granted. Once the sites are cleared, the land will be returned to its original purpose, allowing development and public use to resume. Officials maintain that this approach balances humanitarian considerations with the need to uphold the law and protect communities.
The eviction of foreigners in Cape Town is therefore not just a legal step but also a significant moment in resolving a dispute that has stretched over several years. It reflects the city’s position that unlawful occupation cannot continue indefinitely and that public resources must be used responsibly. As the process unfolds, the focus will remain on ensuring safety, restoring dignity, and addressing the concerns of both the occupants and the wider community.
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