Cape Town refugees want to leave SA

CAPE TOWN - It's been over three years since over a thousand refugees were moved from the Cape Town CBD to two large tents in Bellville and Kensington.

The large group first occupied the Central Methodist Church and surrounding pavements.

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The National State of Disaster required everyone to stay home and off the streets during the hard Covid lockdown.

But even after the State of Disaster was lifted, hundreds continue to live in those tents in poor and hazardous conditions.

While some have agreed to be repatriated, some of those who chose integration have returned to the tents after three months of being supported financially during that time by the UNCHR. 

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says he has tried everything possible to assist the two groups in Cape Town with the help of the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.

But he says they continue to protest.

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Motsoaledi says their hands are tied when it comes to evicting refugees.

The City of Cape Town says it is looking into the matter and will respond when the relevant information is collated and verified.

* eNCA's Ayesha Ismail reports.