By Daniel Itai.
Cape Town, South Africa (News of The South) – The Human Rights Commission (HRC) and other entities will this week meet to resolve issues faced by refugees that are currently residing at the Methodist church.
On December 30 2019, police had to use stun grenades to restore order after tensions boiled over between those camping on the pavement and the ones who live inside the church premises.
Jean-Pierre Balous, one of the refugees’ leaders was arrested on New Year’s Day on eight charges of assault. He is expected to appear before the Court on 22 January.
Meanwhile, humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers said it was reviewing its decision on whether it will resume aiding the refugees.
The organisation withdrew its services after leaders of the refugees ordered the organization to leave following the organization’s director head Badr Kazire’s remarks which said that their demands for resettlement were unrealistic.
“What we have done, we have taken the matter under advisement. We feel that it’s a larger humanitarian issue at stake in the sense that the health, the place where they are living, the central Methodist church is not ideal place where they should be housed.
We will take the matter under advisement of the South African Humans Rights Commission and other faith based organisations tomorrow,” said Kazi.
Previously, the organisation provided food, toiletries and medical services to the refugees who have taken shelter at the Methodist church.
The HRC’s Chris Nissen said the Department of Home Affairs will look at the issue of documentation and the United Nations Human Rights Council to help with reintegration into communities.
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