Refugee eviction in Brooklyn completed without incident

Police, local CPF members, private security companies and immigration services facilitated the eviction of refugees and asylum-seekers at Waterkloof Road, Brooklyn, on Friday morning.

Brooklyn CPF confirmed by Friday evening that all structures outside the UN Office in Waterkloof road had been demolished and removed.

They said contractors would then begin installing measures to prevent future incidents outside the UNHCR offices.

“Some of the refugees that have gathered at the park on the corner of Middel Street and Dey Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, are being assisted by Lawyers for Human Rights to find alternative accommodation,” the CPF said in a statement.

“Their belongings are being loaded into vehicles and will start to leave the area shortly.”

The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) would remain at the scene to monitor the situation and, after engaging the refugees and protestors, were allowing them the time to arrange for transportation to alternative accommodation.

“So far, there is no need for worry that they will be settling in this park,” said the area CPF.

The group of 28 women, 15 men and 55 children had refused to heed a court order to vacate the area.

They are originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda and other areas.

This is the third order attempting their removal.

Rekord was on scene during the eviction proceedings.

Police and other law enforcement partners gathered at 05:00 on Friday ahead of the evictions.

The refugees were given the opportunity to remove their belongings and vacate the area, or face arrest.

One refugee who was in emotional distress said she did not want to go to Lindela.

“Lindela is a prison. Is it a crime to be a refugee? I did not do anything, I am not a criminal. We do not want to be in this country, we came here to the UNHCR for protection.”

Despite some refugees becoming emotionally distressed at the eviction, it went off without incident.

SVTA/ Lifemed spokesperson Dean Slater confirmed that only minor incidents were reported, with the service only treating two refugees for emotional distress.

Slater said the service was prepared for any eventuality with Halo helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and beds at the Zuid-Afrikaanse Hospital both on stand-by.

“Fortunately, there were no physical altercations or injuries,” said Slater.

The group was expected to be sent to the Lindela repatriation centre in Krugersdorp on April 19 but this was postponed to Friday due to a planning “setback”.

For more than 10 months, the refugees have been living in makeshift shelters that have become an eyesore to homeowners and businesses.

They are accused of using the pavement as a cooking space and street corners as well as shops as lavatories.

The most recent eviction order of the Pretoria high court was served on the refugees on April 13 and when they failed to heed it, they became liable for arrest.

The refugees have been camped outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pretoria since 2019.

The over 70 refugees, including children, were served notice on April 13 by the high court of South Africa, in Pretoria, informing them that they would face eviction and be relocated to Lindela.

ALSO READ: Brooklyn refugees evicted and several arrested

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