The City of Cape Town Police has been condemned for forcibly evicting a naked man whilst he was in the middle of bathing in Empolweni’s makeshift homes. They reportedly pepper sprayed the victim and dragged him out of his home.
The pictures have been widely shared on social media with many people questioning the reasons behind exposing the man.
The City of Cape Town has responded and assured citizens an investigation has been launched on the Empolweni incident:
“The incident of a nude man depicted on the video occurred during a City law enforcement operation. The actions of officers involved in this matter is being investigated with urgency, including other footage which the City has, and once the investigation has been completed the appropriate action will be taken. The land in question belongs to the City of Cape Town and the City has conducted various operations to prevent illegal land occupation. After removed, new attempts are made to invade again on a daily basis. The land is earmarked for installation of services to serve the broader community in the area. There is an interdict in place as well as a recent court order which allows only 49 households to temporarily. remain on the land until after the lockdown. The City must also maintain this recent court order. The City will communicate further in due course.”
The incident sparked outrage on social media. Some are in support of the humiliated man whilst others are castigated him for breaking the law:
“Still have the decency to let him finish and get dressed Law is law but there must be some sort of respect for another human being’
“no person deserves to be humiliated and degraded in this manner. Are this guys following any form of guidelines or code of practice when evicting people from their dwellings because this looks like wild wild west MO”
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“Why didn’t he leave before it got to this point? He was evicted.” Empolweni people are settling illegally.
“This is a very unpleasant picture that summarizes the insensitivity of the police force! How dare does one take the decision to do such?”
“That’s what happens when you break the law hey, can’t be crying after the fact. Are they settling in Empolweni legally?
“Doesn’t the owner have rights? I buy property and rent it out, don’t I have rights to evict someone? If he was destructive or non paying, the owner had a right to evict. Further, he knew he was evicted. He chose to stay and force this confrontation. Now you foolishly support him”
“Khaya Dlulane can your office look at this humans rights violation by the republic of cape Town. This is not on.”
“SAHR Commission this is a creation of fear? Reminds me of what I read about the Apartheid Regime, PLEASE intervene.”
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