Cape Town refugees: Cops move in to remove informal structures outside Methodist church
1 March 2020
Refugees living around the Central Methodist Mission Church in Cape Town are currently being removed along with their belongings.
This comes after the Western Cape High Court granted the City of Cape Town an interim order in February, stating that the City can enforce its by-laws on the refugees and asylum seekers living outside the church on Greenmarket Square.
Videos and media reports on Sunday showed police and law enforcement officers lining up to begin the removal process, with some refugees putting up a fight, as their temporary homes for the last few months were being cleared.
"The refugees were apprised of the provisions of the court order, so they have known for more than 10 days that the enforcement operation was coming," said mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith on Sunday.