Second Cape Town refugee leader released on R2 000 bail
JP Balous, a second leader of the Cape Town refugees housed in the Central Methodist Church, has been released on bail on Friday 10 January 2020.
A second leader of a group of refugees housed in the Central Methodist Church in Cape Town appeared in court on Friday 10 January 2020 and has since been released on R2 000 bail.
According to EWN, JP Balous was arrested in the first week of the New Year for assault and robbery.
His bail conditions, however, stipulate he’s not allowed in the Cape Town CBD.
Outside the courthouse, a group of his supporters had gathered holding posters which read; “JP is the last hope for us refugees”, “he is not a criminal”.
On Thursday 9 January 2020, another alleged leader, Papy Sukami was also released on bail. Sukami was also arrested and accused of robbery and assault.
Two refugee leaders at loggerheads
The two leaders are at loggerheads over who represents the dozens of foreigners.
According to GroundUp, Reverend Alan Storey wrote that violence broke out on 29 December following a split between the two refugee leaders. This forced the police to intervene.
Some of the foreign nationals have been wearing T-shirts supporting one or the other leader.
Storey, who runs the Central Methodist Mission on Cape Town’s Greenmarket Square has condemned the “fallout between the refugee leadership” at the church.
Storey said in a statement published on Friday, that this has caused a “volatile” and “hostile” environment in the church.
Hundreds of foreigners have been staying inside and outside the church in the city centre for months.
Refugees in negotiations with UNHCR
Since the violent removal of refugees who, in October 2019, had camped outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), no further strides have been made in meeting their demands.
Refugees have since sought shelter inside and outside the Central Methodist Church, on Greenmarket Square, while engaged in negotiations with the City of Cape Town and the UNHCR about being relocated to ‘safer countries’.
Denied shelter
The refugees have asked for safe, temporary shelter, while the UNHCR and the Department of Home Affairs begin the screening and relocation process.
However, mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, confirmed that the City was not interested in granting refugees this ‘temporary’ space.
Instead, law enforcement officers have been briefed on an operation to remove foreign nationals from the church as the city views their occupation of the space as unsustainable.
In other news – Isithembiso actress Nandi Mbatha dishes out sexxy Bikini looks – Pictures
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In this case, actress and model Nandi Mbatha has something to show off. She shared a couple of mouth-watering snaps of herself rocking in a beautiful Bikini having a good time inside a swimming pool. continue reading
Source: The South African
