Struggle continues for diehard Tafelsig backyarders
THE remaining group of Tafelsig backyarders has resorted to setting up its shacks at sunset and taking them down at dawn.
The backyarders, who were evicted from the land next to the Kapteinsklip train station in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, on Thursday, have moved about 150m away.
One of them, Edwin Davis, said he and five others were arrested on Friday on charges of riotious behaviour, defamation and assault.
Some of their possessions were confiscated, he said.
“At about 11am on Friday they (officials) came back and started taking our clothes and the food parcels we got,” Davis said.
“I don’t have anything left because they took all my stuff.
“We had to borrow R2 000 for a lawyer (so we could be released) on Friday night.”
In September 2011, the Western Cape High Court granted an eviction order against the Tafelsig backyarders, giving them the option to move to Blikkiesdorp in Delft.
Twenty-three families refused the offer.
The group have been bat- tling with the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) since putting up shacks next to the railway line a year ago.
Prasa was granted an eviction order against the group. Yesterday, several members the group were making
of lunch on the field they now call home.
“We believe (the officials) are targeting us,” Davis said.
“They are allowed to take only our structures, but they take our mattresses and food too.
“It’s a constant fight with these guys.”
Ilhaam Abrahams said it was a struggle to care for her 21-month-old daughter, Imaan, while having to worry about packing up in time.
“We have to make sure we break the (shelters) down before anyone can come and take our things,” she said.
“It’s traumatising Imaan.
“I have to make porridge in the morning early and see to her before the men break down
for the (shelters), store all of them in a neighbour’s yard and then put them back up later.”
Abrahams said the group was willing to go to court if faced with another eviction order.