The South African government issued directives imposing an immediate suspension on all evictions at the beginning of the lockdown. However, despite the moratorium, people have been evicted in different parts across the country during the lockdown. 

Using the recent brutal eviction of Empolweni residents in Khayelitsha Cape Town by the Anti-Land Invasion Unit and metropolitan police as a basis point, we zoom in on the nature of evictions in South Africa. It is unfortunate that a man was evicted in that manner – what is more worrying, is how evictions have gone on ‘as usual’ to a point where the protection of human dignity no longer exists. The blatant disregard of people’s right to housing and dignity portrayed by the City of Cape Town is unfortunately shared by various municipalities across the country. Evictions are inhumane – no eviction is ‘nice’ – but the manner in which they have been carried out has dehumanized people for far too long and there is no recourse. 

Guest: Edward Molopo - Research and Advocacy Officer at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) 

Guest: Stan Henkeman - Executive Director of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation

The South African government issued directives imposing an immediate suspension on all evictions at the beginning of the lockdown. However, despite the moratorium, people have been evicted in different parts across the country during the lockdown. Using the recent brutal eviction of Empolweni residents in Khayelitsha Cape Town by the Anti-Land Invasion Unit and metropolitan police as a basis point, we zoom in on the nature of evictions in South Africa. It is unfortunate that a man was evicted in that manner – what is more worrying, is how evictions have gone on ‘as usual’ to a point where the protection of human dignity no longer exists. The blatant disregard of people’s right to housing and dignity portrayed by the City of Cape Town is unfortunately shared by various municipalities across the country. Evictions are inhumane – no eviction is ‘nice’ – but the manner in which they have been carried out has dehumanized people for far too long and there is no recourse. Guest: Edward Molopo - Research and Advocacy Officer at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) Guest: Stan Henkeman - Executive Director of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation

Socio, Econ & Political Issues of the day. Incl. Daily Serial @ 21:45

Socio, Econ & Political Issues of the day.