Living Conditions at Bellville Paint City Camp for Refugees Continue to Deteriorate - Cape Town Today
Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Living Conditions at Bellville Paint City Camp for Refugees Continue to Deteriorate

1 min read
refugees bellville paint city

Around 500 refugees, including 200 children, live in dire conditions at the Bellville Paint City camp in Cape Town.

Refugees’ Plea for Resettlement

These refugees started protesting outside the UNHCR offices in Cape Town and Pretoria in October 2019. They are pleading for resettlement in any country other than South Africa due to fear of violence, looting, and kidnapping. Many, like Francine Nduwimana, refuse to return to local communities.

Deteriorating Conditions

The situation at the Bellville camp has been continuously deteriorating over time. Since November of last year, the center has been without toilets and showers since 2020. As a result, the refugees have been forced to resort to makeshift bathrooms, worsening unsanitary conditions.

Removal of Mobile Toilets

Mobile toilets were removed from the camp in March due to complaints about them being full and smelly. This has led to even worse sanitary conditions for the refugees, with Nduwimana pointing out the harmful effects on women’s and children’s health.

Call for Intervention

Albert Luninga, the group’s representative, calls on the UNHCR to intervene and rescue the refugees at the Bellville camp. He emphasizes the refugees’ legitimate reasons for not wanting to return to their local communities, as they have faced kidnapping, extortion, and looting of their businesses.

Government Response

However, Siyabulela Qoza, the spokesperson for Home Affairs, states that the toilets were removed after threats of damage and intimidation were made to the maintenance staff. Qoza explains that the refugees must either reintegrate into their previous communities or return to their home countries.

UNHCR’s Position

Laura Padoan, the UNHCR spokesperson, clarifies that the agency did not participate in any discussions regarding the eviction of protesters from Paint City or Wingfield. Padoan notes that the UNHCR initially provided toilets at the camp until the local authorities took over site management. The UNHCR encourages refugees to return to local communities and rebuild their lives.

Help Desk for Asylum-Seekers

To assist refugees and asylum-seekers who wish to return to their countries of origin, the UNHCR has established a help desk that offers confidential advice and counseling services. So far, 67 people have voluntarily returned to Burundi, one to Cote d’Ivoire and one to the Republic of Congo.

In conclusion, the living conditions at the Bellville Paint City camp for refugees have continued to deteriorate, with the removal of mobile toilets and the absence of proper sanitation facilities. As a result, the refugees call for intervention from the UNHCR, while the government urges them to reintegrate into their previous communities or return to their home countries. Meanwhile, the UNHCR provides counseling services and encourages asylum-seekers to rebuild their lives.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

The Enigmatic Pangolin: A Fascinating Battle for Survival

Next Story

Celebrating Artisanal Beverages and Delights at the Stellenbosch Craft Drinks Festival

Latest from Blog

Legal Crossroads in Saldanha Bay: The Joshlin Smith Case

The Joshlin Smith case in Saldanha Bay is a tense legal battle about serious human trafficking charges involving a missing child. The quiet fishing town became a spotlight for grief and hope as the courtroom drama unfolded, relying heavily on witness testimony with little physical proof. The defense challenged the weak evidence, while the community and media watched closely, showing how justice is both a legal fight and a story told through public eyes. This case reveals South Africa’s struggle to find truth and fairness amid deep pain and uncertainty.

Wildfire on Table Mountain: Cape Town’s Annual Battle Against the Flames

Each dry summer, wildfires sweep across Cape Town’s Table Mountain, driven by hot winds, invasive plants, and sometimes human carelessness. These fires roar quickly through thick fynbos, threatening rare plants and homes alike, while firefighters battle bravely from land and sky to control the flames. The community comes together, sending supplies and support, showing how deeply Cape Towners care for their mountain. Though fire is part of nature’s cycle, climate change and frequent blazes put this delicate balance at risk, making every effort to protect Table Mountain more important than ever.

Public Outcry and a Policy Reversed: The Scrapping of South Africa’s VAT Hike

South Africa decided not to raise VAT by 0.5% after a big public outcry. People worried the extra tax would make life harder with rising prices and many without jobs. Protests, legal fights, and political pressure made the government change its mind. This choice shows how South Africans’ voices can shape important government decisions. Now, the country faces new challenges to find money without hurting its people.

Miracle on the Rails: Four Women Transform a Cape Town Commute

One busy morning on a Cape Town train, four women from Herschel Girls’ School helped a young mother give birth right there in the crowded carriage. With calm hearts and quick thinking, they cleared space, sang songs of hope, and supported her through the pain. When baby Grace cried for the first time, passengers cheered, turning the train into a joyful celebration. This amazing act of kindness showed how ordinary people can come together to create miracles in the most surprising moments.

Saturday Night Rugby: Cape Town’s Urban Festival Unfolds

Saturday Night Rugby in Cape Town lights up the city with a mix of thrilling rugby, music, and fun for families. Fans dressed in blue gather early to welcome the Stormers, turning the streets and stadium into a buzzing playground of cheers, food, and games. The city blends sport and culture seamlessly, with special transport making sure everyone moves smoothly through the lively crowds. As rugby and jazz fans fill the night, Cape Town shines bright, celebrating community, tradition, and the joy of being together.