Leader arrested as refugee crisis grows
A LEADER of the refugees sheltering in and around the Central Methodist Church in the city centre, Jean-Pierre Balous is expected to appear in court tomorrow to face charges of assault.
Balous, 38, was arrested after complaints from some refugees of assault, according to police spokesperson Novela Potelwa.
“The suspect, who is from Congo, is charged with eight cases of assault, five of which are assault with intention to do grievous bodily harm. The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday.”
Potelwa said 50 people, believed to be from the group, gathered at the Cape Town Central police station after Balous’s arrest, demanding his release.
But after being advised to leave, the group complied and dispersed, according to Potelwa, who said Public Order Police members would monitor the situation.
Another refugee leader, Papy Sukami said a fight broke out among refugees on Sunday, after a group supporting Balous allegedly pepper-sprayed fellow refugees.
The incident occurred after the church’s pastor Alan Storey had given permission to refugees to conduct a service in the church on Sunday, according to Sukami.
“But at 8am on Sunday, JP (Balous) came and took the microphone (in the church) and said: ‘You guys come with your nonsense that you call prayers’.
“So I confronted him and told him you are the number one leader of the refugees and I’m the number two, but you are guilty of abuse of power. You can’t stop us from praying.”
Sukami said he had called all the refugees to a meeting in the church after their prayers and announced in Balous’s presence that he was being suspended as their leader.
Sukami said he told Balous that his behaviour had also closed doors for help that had been coming to the refugees.
“We don’t have dialogue anymore with the UNHCR and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), because of your violence and and abuse of power,” Sukami added.
Balous’s bodyguards then allegedly attacked the refugees who conducted the Sunday service, said Sukami, who added that police were then called.
Sukami said he had since Balous’s arrest contacted all individuals and organisations, including Gift of the Givers, who had been prepared to assist the refugees.