Eight people are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court for contravening a court order during the eviction of about 100 refugees who have been camping outside the United Nations office in Brooklyn, Pretoria since 2019.
The group was evicted on Friday morning after a recent court order that compelled the government to remove them.
Many opted to seek alternative accommodation while a few others were taken to Lindela Refugee Centre. At the weekend, the remainder of the refugees were sheltered at a farm in Bronkhorstspruit, outside Pretoria.
Removal of refugees outside UNHCR offices in Pretoria: Laura Padoan
Meanwhile, Social Development says the children of the refugees are now under their care.
Social Development Spokesperson Lumka Oliphant says, “There were two women who were arrested during the raid, and there were three children aged 3,5, and 10. Because we cannot incarcerate children, we had to make sure that those children are processed and are now in the care of the social development.”
