‘Homeless evicted from Swartland sports field’

CIVIL organisations in the Swartland have come to the aid of the homeless after they had their structures on a sports field demolished.

Neil Akkers of the Moorreesburg Action Group said that on Sunday morning, councillor Marlene van Zyl arrived at the rugby field where the homeless have been living in tents since the start of the lockdown.

She is alleged to have told them that the “lockdown was over” and with the help of law enforcement they were evicted from the sports field, he said.

The Moorreesburg Action Group informed the Ukubavimva Foundation of the incident.

Advocate Venice Burgins, executive director of the Ukubavimba Foundation, said after they were informed, they met with the homeless.

“I enquired what exactly transpired and they informed me that Van Zyl came with law enforcement to evict them from the sports field in Moorreesburg,” said Burgins.

She said she made several calls to stakeholders to assist.

She said she contacted the mayor who informed her that the homeless were given 14 days to vacate.

“After I communicated with the mayor, he informed me that I should speak to director Jo-Ann Krieger and immediately she said we must take them back and that everyone must assist moving forward.

“She also said that she would assist Moorreesburg Action Group in feeding the homeless,” said Burgins.

Councillor Van Zyl directed questions to the municipal manager.

Responding on behalf of municipal manager Joggie Scholtz, the municipality’s director, Jo-Anne Krieger, said the homeless had a choice, and they chose to leave the field.

“Since level 4 of the lockdown they indicated that they want to move to their families and then two weeks ago some of them just started to leave. With The Haven shelter support through social workers we had weekly assessments with them for the two months,” she said.

Krieger dismissed allegations made against Van Zyl.

“Van Zyl, the ward councillor, gave extensive support. The homeless requested support from law enforcement to assist with delivering some of their items to their families.

“I wish that those who are distributing this inaccurate information could assist us in strengthening these initiatives,” she said.