Pretoria – The Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Joints) in KwaZulu-Natal has on Friday moved to clear a temporary shelter in Chatsworth.
The Chatsworth temporary shelter, which had housed displaced foreign nationals, was officially shut down on 30 June 2015.
Following reports that that a large number of people were still camping on the grounds after being informed by the city not to do so, the Joints held an operation at the camp on Friday morning.
“Prior to the operation, intelligence received an indication that approximately 140 people, including approximately 80 children, who refused to move were camping illegally on the grounds.
“They refused all assistance offered by government and NGO's and also refused the integration packages offered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),” said Chairperson of the Provincial Joints, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni.
The operation included members of the SAPS, including Durban Metropolitan Police, the Department of Social Development, eThekwini Municipality and other role players.
“At 10:30am the area in Chatsworth was cleared and all arrested persons were transported to the Chatsworth Police Station. Their belongings were removed from the grounds and all minors were handed over to the Department of Social Development to be accommodated at a home in the area,” Lieutenant General Ngobeni said.
They will be charged for contravening the bylaws of the city as well as in terms of the Child Care Act.
Lieutenant General Ngobeni commended members of the Joints for their conduct throughout the operation.
“This operation was executed swiftly and in a very professional manner. It is unfortunate that this group chose to disregard warnings by government and NGO's and blatantly contravened the laws of this country.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to such activities as they also pose a threat to peace and stability in the country.” – SAnews.gov.za
