Foreign nationals and asylum seekers living at a Bellville refugee site are refusing to move despite Friday’s deadline. It is alleged that the Department of Home Affairs has given them two options, to repatriate or reintegrate into communities.
Hundreds of foreign families were moved to tents in Bellville and Wingfield last year after they had occupied a church in Cape Town’s CBD in October 2019. Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi, announced two weeks ago that both temporary shelters will be closed at the end of April, Mail & Gaurdian reported. The minister said while during a public briefing, whoever chooses to remain in the open and in the streets without any shelter and facilities will obviously be breaking the law and will be dealt with by law enforcement agencies under the applicable legislation.
As reported by EWN, refugee leader in Bellville Hafiz Mohammed indicated that they are ready to face the police because they have nowhere to go. Hafiz added they are ready to go to any other country because nobody is scared at the camp
Meanwhile, Home Affairs has allegedly indicated it would start removing sanitation facilities and the tent from Friday, May 7.
Picture: Cape Town Etc gallery
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