“On Tuesday, July 18, people without homes occupied land in Zwelitsha, Khayelitsha. Three days later, law enforcement officers from the city of cape town arrived to demolish and remove the structures residents had set up. Activist and theatre director, Mandisi Sindo, was arrested by the police. He says he was protecting a pregnant woman. She was trying to get back her ID document that a law enforcement officer had confiscated along with her shack materials. During South Africa’s national COVID-19 lockdown, there have been a string of evictions by the City of Cape Town. A recent judgement ruled that the city is not allowed to evict people or demolish their homes without a court order. But for some, it’s already too late.
A film by Samuel Flans, Alfa Fiphaza, Bongekile Booi and Abongile Njamela. Soundtrack by Samuel Flans / Innocent Muziq. In partnership with Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Read the City of Cape Town’s full response here.
