EVICTION ORDER GRANTED FOR WINGFIELD, PAINT CITY

'State cannot continue to bear these costs'

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

RESIDENTS have welcomed the Western Cape High Court order granting the City and national Departments of Home Affairs and Public Works and Infrastructure permission to serve notices of eviction to foreign nationals living at the Wingfield Tent and Paint City sites in Kensington and Bellville respectively.

The Kensington/Factreton Residents and Ratepayers Association said the removal of the tent and its occupants would address various concerns including crime.

“The KenFac Ratepayers Association welcomes the eviction order and hopes that the refugees living in the Wingfield white tent will be safely integrated into proper communities,” they said.

“From the start, the tent was a symbol of neglect and betrayal, promised as a temporary solution during the pandemic for the homeless refugees, but instead left standing five years later.

“The site has since contributed to growing informal settlements, created health and safety concerns, and turned a key access point along Voortrekker Road into an environmental eyesore.

“Kensington and Factreton should not be treated as dumping grounds for problems that affect the broader city. It is time for the tent to be removed.”

The City said the eviction will be carried out in accordance with the court order and the Sheriff of the court.