Maitland and Bellville refugees rally against eviction

Refugees living at the Wingfield tent in Maitland and Paint City in Bellville have joined hands, accusing Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson, and Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, of renewing a wave of state-backed Afrophobis and xenophobia as they plan to evict them.

In a statement issued to the media at the weekend, the refugees said plans to evict them were against their human rights, while they continued to live in squalor.

They said they intended on hosting a public meeting on Sunday afternoon.

The Cape Argus approached the City for their response, to which they said they would stick to the statement issued on June 18, announcing the plans for eviction. 

Macpherson’s office said it was for the City to communicate on the matter while Schreiber’s office did not respond to queries at the time of going to print. 

The refugees are being supported by organisations such as Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, Khulumani Support Group, Save Our Sacred Lands, Housing Assembly, and the African Legal Students Association.

“Refugees residing at the Wingfield refugee tent and Paint City are facing a renewed wave of state-backed Afrophobia and brutality,” they said.

“We, the undersigned civil society organisations, activists, and community members, denounce these acts as part of a broader neoliberal war on the poor and displaced. Just three days after the DA Ministers’ announcement, a 12-metre section of the Wingfield refugee tent was slashed during the night exposing families to winter weather.

“No one knows who did it or why, but we know this much: the act came after dangerous political rhetoric. These forced evictions are not isolated. They are part of a broader attack on the poor. Refugees may be the first targets, but South African residents of Gate 7, who also face landlessness, unemployment, and economic exclusion - will be next."

They said the refugees were predominantly from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kensington ward councillor, Cheslyn Steenberg, said he would continue to advocate for their plight for consultation of decisions.

"I take note of the comments that was made by the occupants of the tent and their representatives."

Leslie Swartz, chairperson of the Kensington Factreton Residents and Ratepayers Association said: "Let us be unequivocally clear: our advocacy is rooted in the belief that refugees deserve stable, secure, and dignified living conditions that reflect their humanity and our shared responsibility to protect it."

Earlier, Steenberg said they would be holding the mayor and others accountable and called for proof of their eviction submission.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed they have yet to be called to be part of the process.

The City clarified that they were in the submission process last week.

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