Local News
QwaQwa evictions violated human rights: Commission─── 15:25 Tue, 23 Sep 2014
Bloemfontein - The South African Human Rights Commission has found that the rights of Qwaqwa residents in the Free State were violated during the process to evict hundreds of residents who occupied a farm in the Bokamoso area.
The Commission’s attention was drawn to the plans by the Municipality to evict residents on June 10 this year. The residents were, according to the Municipality, “unlawfully occupying” the remainder of Farm Bluegumbosch 199, Ha Tshohanyane, Bokamoso in QwaQwa.
The commission’s Isaac Mangena says the municipality has been directed to provide the evicted persons with adequate accommodation where they can live without the threat of another eviction and with access to basic services such as sanitation, water and refuse services within a period of three months from today.
Mangena adds that the matter was brought by Chief of the Mabolela Traditional Council, Morena Tsolo Mopeli who sought the commission’s intervention in order to halt the eviction process pending a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the residents, their details and personal circumstances, the impact of eviction on vulnerable groups, the provision of adequate alternative accommodation by the municipality, and meaningful engagement with the residents.
Mangena adds that the matter was brought by Chief of the Mabolela Traditional Council, Morena Tsolo Mopeli who sought the commission’s intervention in order to halt the eviction process pending a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the residents, their details and personal circumstances, the impact of eviction on vulnerable groups, the provision of adequate alternative accommodation by the municipality, and meaningful engagement with the residents.
Refilwe Mekoa/OFM News
Isaac Mangena:
