City of Cape Town evicts scores of homeless people squatting at tent city
The tent structures were erected at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to cause a headache for the metro, with claims of tourists in the area and stolen property being found in the vicinity of Tent City.
City of Cape Town law enforcement officials evicted homeless people occupying the Green Point tennis courts on 22 February 2024. Picture: Melikhaya Zagagana/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town has evicted scores of homeless people squatting at tent city near the Castle of Good Hope.
This is after tourists were robbed of their belongings in the area when their parked vehicle was broken into last week.
READ MORE: CoCT vows to stick to court order when evicting people occupying public spaces
The tent structures were erected at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to cause a headache for the metro.
About 50 tents have been torn down.
An empty luggage bag belonging to tourists robbed in the area has sparked some safety concerns. Stolen property was also found near structures.
The City of Cape Town said this is what led to the decision to remove the tent structures.
The decision follows the first phase of the removal of homeless people occupying the Green Point tennis court by the sheriff of the court last week.
The city said it raised its concerns about crime affecting tourists with the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, but nothing has been done.
The metro said it plans to continue trying to recover some of the stolen goods.