Melgisedek illegal occupants stranded after courts block tent camp move

The occupants of the illegally occupied Melgisedek building in Pretoria have been left stranded after two relocation attempts were thwarted by the courts. Following a fire in February that severely damaged the building, it was classified as a "bad building" and plans to demolish it and relocate the approximately 400 residents to nearby tent camps were announced in March. However, these plans were halted by an urgent court application brought forward by political parties and civil rights organizations.

Willie Spies, the Freedom Front Plus Tshwane mayoral candidate, revealed that the Legal Practice Committee's application for leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court, filed last week, automatically puts a hold on the eviction order. Spies added that the FF Plus are closely monitoring the proceedings and are also considering the possibility of joining the case as a friend of the court.

DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink expressed disappointment over the lack of suitable alternative accommodation. Initially, the city wanted to place the evicted residents on a location lacking formal water and electricity access. Despite legal action to prevent this, the city later decided to relocate the evictees to a community sports ground in Capital Park, which Brink deemed unsuitable once again.

The DA remains committed to proceeding with the eviction, but they are adamant about avoiding any further expansion of the Melgisedek camp.