Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Tent becomes mini village for hundreds of refugees in Bellville
THE huge marquee, which houses 500 refugees at Paint City in Bellville, has now become a tiny village with homes made from cardboard boxes, wood and blankets, while 23 babies have been born this year.
Hafiz Mohammed, who is one of the leaders of the camp, said they were forced to erect structures inside the battered tent during winter after it began flooding with water and the roof became damp.
Showers have not been returned to the camp after it was removed earlier this year, but the toilets have remained to accommodate the women and children.
Mohammed said many of the tents housed families while bachelors slept without a roof over their heads as they did not require the privacy married couples did.
Inside, rooms are made with cardboard, wood and blankets.
The gaps between the shacks are minimal, enough for a body to squeeze between and doors adequate to fit through.
“Where must our people wash? They need their privacy, women and children, especially,” said Mohammed.
“We decided, because of the cold conditions and for privacy, to build these structures.
“There are sections which are open and that belong to the bachelors.”
No food is cooked inside the tent and is done under supervision of a kitchen.
Another leader, Mamma Mary, said 23 babies had been born this year and education and documentation was still an issue.
She added they had managed to survive, seeing no fatalities throughout the pandemic despite no medical facilities on site.
They often have to leave the area and seek medical attention where they are not known to be associated with the tent.
“We have had 23 babies born this year alone. It is only the grace of God and his blessings that have kept us all healthy; the babies and the mothers,’ she said.
“We still have the issue of documentation. That is why only over 20 children attend school.
“Our tent, where we provided home school lessons, is broken, and we cannot enrol these children into schools because they do not have documentation.”
Mohammed said they would only be
leaving the tent once the United Nations jumped into action after all the failed promises.
“The United Nations needs to come in and assist us and take us where our children will be safe,” he said.
“Our children need documentation, and the South African government has broken their promises.”
Emmanuel Ndayisenga contemplated his life in South Africa.
Ndayisenga had fled his country, Burundi, after he was coerced to commit killings and refused, and is now determined to make a better life for himself and his family: “I am waiting for the day that we can leave this country.
“I thought this country would be a better life for me and my family, but I had a big problem in my country. I became a target when I didn’t do what they asked me to do, to go on a mission and kill, and I left for safety reasons.”
The City of Cape Town’s Vanessa Scholtz said they were not able to comment about the conditions of the camp as it was a Department of Home Affairs issue.
Department of Home Affairs spokesperson, David Hlabane, has promised feedback on the matter.
Department of Social Development spokesperson Esther Lewis said their officials would assist those in need in the camp once they received a report.
“Members of the public can access them by visiting or contacting their nearest DSD offices. Interventions are done based on the outcome of assessments.”
Matthew du Plessis, acting provincial manager at the South African Human Rights Commission, said: “We are aware of this matter and have been monitoring the situation and engaging with the relevant departments.”
We have had 23 babies born this year alone. It is only the grace of God and his blessings that have kept us all healthy; the babies and the mothers.
MAMMA MARY
Leader