Hill-Lewis confirms the eviction process is underway to remove about 160 foreign nationals from two sites in Cape Town

CAPE TOWN - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has confirmed an eviction process is underway to remove about one hundred and sixty foreign nationals from two sites in Cape Town.

The occupants were relocated to Wingfield and Paint City during the COVID-19 pandemic after being evicted from Green Market Square and the central methodist church in the city's CBD.

READ: CoCT evicts foreign nationals from Green Market Square and Central Methodist Church

Hill-Lewis said the demands of the remaining occupants for relocation to Europe or Canada can never lawfully be met -- nor can the state continue to bear expenses related to the sites.

He added that many of the foreign nationals have since moved from the sites, but the remaining occupants have refused to be relocated.

"It's important to note, this is the start of the eviction process... Essentially kicks off the court process. So, this does not mean the eviction will happen on Monday -- but we've kicked off formally the court hearing process."