Organisations and individuals have contributed food, clothing, toiletries and other necessities to the residents of Steenvilla who were evicted earlier this month and are now living on the grounds next to the social housing complex.
About 29 families were evicted on Wednesday June 6 and most are now huddledwith all their belongings under makeshift structures covered in black tarpaulin.
The group of residents have pleaded for help from SOHCO, the company which manages Steenvilla, and the City of Cape Town to help them move back into their flats or secure other accommodation.
Yushrah Greef told Southern Mail after she lost her job her husband took a loan to pay SOHCO the arrears that was owed.
“We have made every effort to pay SOHCO but they are not willing to give us an opportunity to continue living here because they are already trying to move others in. All we ask is for them to give us alternative homes. We have nowhere else to go,” she said.
Community worker Mymoena Scholtz said women and children being tossed out in the street is inhumane.
“We as the Where Rainbows Meet Foundation have been trying to give moral support as well as meals to the residents of Steenvilla who were evicted. It is sad how these people are being treated. People are facing challenges, unemployment is rife, they should be given a chance,” said Ms Scholtz.
Mitchell’s Plain Community Policing Forum (CPF) cluster chairperson, Lucinda Evans, agreed that the conditions the residents face are inhumane.
“What is happening at Steenvilla is a human rights atrocity. It is storming and these people were thrown out of their homes. I am concerned about their wellbeing,” she said.
Other residents have now come on board to provide temporary accommodation to Steenvilla evictees when it rains.
Ward councillor Marita Petersen said temporary accommodation had been offered to those evicted by organisations, churches and residents.
“They refused all shelter. An application was made by the evictees at the Constitutional Court for an interdict for the City to provide accommodation but this was overruled. Housing for these residents is not the City’s mandate. Outreach from Disaster Risk Management and other organisations has taken place and residents have had over two years to find alternative accommodation,” said Ms Petersen.
Ms Greef confirmed that temporary accommodation was offered.
“We are scared that if we move, our belongings will be confiscated and proper housing will not be provided for us,” said Ms Greef.
Heather Maxwell, CEO for SOHCO, said evictions were carried out by the sheriff of the court in response to an order of court.