Last Remaining People Evicted from Blue Waters

The Sheriff of the Court, with assistance from the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the City of Cape Town's Law Enforcement Services, evicted the remaining one hundred and eighty seven (187) people at Blue Waters camps B and C today, 15 April. The process commenced at 06h30 and was completed by 09h15. The eviction went ahead without incident.

The City provided free transport to those people who wanted to stay with friends or family. The possessions of those refugees who do not presently have alternative accommodation will be stored at the offices of the Sheriff in Somerset West.

As soon as the site was cleared it was secured by the Metro Police and the remaining tents and toilets removed. Rehabilitation of the facility will commence shortly.

The eviction follows a lengthy process of negotiation which began in May 2008 when some twenty thousand (20 000) people were displaced during xenophobic attacks. The people were temporarily accommodated at various safety sites across the Cape metropolitan area, including Blue Waters. The City provided food, medical attention and municipal services, before the sites were reduced, consolidated and eventually closed. After a grace period following the formal closure of Blue Waters, basic municipal services namely water, sanitation and waste removal as well as site security were supplied by the City.

Of the twenty thousand (20 000) people displaced over nineteen thousand eight hundred (19 800) either re-integrated into communities or returned to their original countries.

The entire process has cost the City of Cape Town nearly R200 million, with only R17 million being refunded by National Government. Blue Waters is a municipal camping site that has been unavailable to residents, schools and other user groups while displaced people were staying there. Damage to the site, its facilities and equipment totaling several million Rands and will have to be repaired before the site can be reopened for public use.

The City eventually applied for an eviction order, which the Cape High Court granted, noting a 31 March deadline. In the court ruling the City's efforts to resolve the process amicably were acknowledged. The three hundred and forty (340) people in Blue Waters at the time of the ruling were given four options: those regarded as vulnerable were resettled at the Delft TRA, while the remainder were offered skills training, trauma counseling or a cash payment. A total of one hundred and fifty three (153) accepted the offer while one hundred and eighty seven (187) refused and were evicted this morning.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town