SAHRC investigates Lwandle evictions

MEDIA STATEMENT

08 June 2014

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has been monitoring the evictions of approximately 200 families that took place in Lwandle, in the Western Cape.

The SAHRC is concerned about the manner in which the evictions were executed, with the delay in providing shelter and failure to timeously plan for the provision of alternative accommodation afforded to the victims who were left homeless in the rainy cold Cape Town weather.

The SAHRC condemns the excessive use of force by the police and security personnel against the residents, especially women and children during these evictions.

The SAHRC expresses its concern with the manner in which the interdict was enforced and non compliance with provisions of Section 26(3) of the Constitution.

The SAHRC is currently investigating the matter and will engage with all parties in order to obtain all relevant information to inform its investigation in this matter.

In the meantime while the long-term solution is sought, the SAHRC calls on the City of Cape Town and National and Provincial Government to urgently find alternative accommodation with sufficient access to water and sanitation for affected families.

We are encouraged by the current interventions from the Minister of Human Settlements and we call on the Department of Transport to suspend all evictions until a favourable solution is found.
ENDS
Issued by the SA Human Rights Commission
Isaac Mangena
Spokesperson
0718848273