A case of trespassing has been opened against a group of refugees, who on Thursday moved onto the premises of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) offices in Pretoria.
On Wednesday, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ordered that the refugees vacate the area within three days of the order being served on them.
They have been living on the pavements, in tents and makeshift structures, outside the offices since the beginning of October.
Hundreds of refugees are asking to be resettled in another country, as they fear xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Their presence led to an urgent application by the Waterkloof Homeowners’ Association and Brooklyn and Eastern Areas Citizens’ Association, which was granted.
On Thursday morning, police were called after the refugees jumped the walls and gates of the UNHCR offices and started setting up camp inside the premises.
Police sources confirmed to News24 that a case of trespassing had been opened and that they would go onto the premises to remove the group.
Refugees previously told News24 that they would not leave willingly, as they had nowhere else to go.
Following a court order that was granted yesterday, refugees are no humans by the gates of the UN offices in Pretoria. Moving their belongings inside. They say they have permission from the UNHCR but the fates are all close @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/m9DBS0N6nL
— Alex Mitchley (@AlexMitchley) November 14, 2019
Following a court order that was granted yesterday, refugees are no humans by the gates of the UN offices in Pretoria. Moving their belongings inside. They say they have permission from the UNHCR but the fates are all close @TeamNews24pic.twitter.com/m9DBS0N6nL
— Alex Mitchley (@AlexMitchley) November 14, 2019
Refugees in Brooklyn Pretoria have to move…the High Court ruled yesterday. Police are in the area. pic.twitter.com/IKqZjhWExk
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) November 14, 2019
The Waterkloof Homeowners’ Association and Brooklyn and Eastern Areas Citizens’ Association had sought the court order directing the refugees to leave the area or for police, the City of Tshwane and Department of Home Affairs to intervene and apply the law.
They argued that the refugees, who are the first respondents in the application were in contravention of municipal by-laws and other applicable laws.
Following long-winded arguments and disagreements on the proposed orders, Judge Natvarlal Ranchod granted the order on Wednesday.
In the event that the refugees do not leave of their own free will, Ranchod ordered the City of Tshwane, Department of Home Affairs and police to engage with them to ascertain their status in order to find out which of them are legally authorized to reside in South Africa.
By-laws
Ranchod also interdicted the refugees from contravening the by-laws and other laws applicable in South Africa, including causing a nuisance to residents in Brooklyn, Nieuw Muckleneuk and Waterkloof, erecting any shelters, tents or shacks and causing unpleasant or offensive smells.
The refugees have also been prohibited from cooking food, making fires and hanging clothing on fences and trees.
The City and Department of Home Affairs have also been ordered to report back to Ranchod on November 21 with regards to the operation.
Before the order was read out on the court, two refugee leaders attempted to address the court to explain their concerns.
Democratic Republic of Congo national Aline Bukuru told the court that they wanted to oppose the order, but did not have the funds for legal assistance.
Ranchod explained that she could make use of pro bono services, but Bukuru retorted that they would not help refugees either.
“If you issue this order, they will do what they did in Cape Town,” she said.
Tshwane mayor welcomes court victory
News24 previously reported that a number of refugees were forcibly removed from UNHCR offices in Cape Town, following another court order.
Tshwane Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa welcomed the ruling as a victory for the City’s service delivery mandate to residents.
“The ruling expedites a matter that should never have arrived at legal action if the Department for Home Affairs and South African Police Service took their mandates to citizens with the seriousness it deserves,” he said in a statement.
“According to the ruling, all parties should respond to ensure practical solutions end this impasse. The City will support SAPS in the removal of the people who have gathered outside the UNHCR Offices.”
In other news – DJ Tira’s wife Gugu Khathi in a nasty fight with neighbour
DJ Tira’s wife and socialite Gugu Khathi is embroiled in a nasty fight with her neighbour that has turned violent. Khathi and her 50-year-old neighbour Cindy O’Neil have opened cases of assault against one another at the Honeydew police station. The drama unfolded on Friday night at the upmarket Willowbrook Estate, in Ruimsig, where both O’Neil and Khathi families reside.
Speaking on O’Neal’s behalf, her husband Benjamin claimed that he was on the roof putting up Christmas decorations on Friday when Khathi’s son, Junior, drove past their house at high speed. He claimed he did not know what Junior told his mom but Khathi came rushing into their home. continue reading
Source: News24
