Press Release
3 September 2021
‘Blou Huis’ evictees’
In 2016, a group of residents known as the “Blou Huis” group was evicted from a farm in Drakenstein. This followed a court order brought by the owner of the farm on which they were staying.
Drakenstein Municipality did not evict the group. The Municipality’s role in evictions is merely to provide evictees with temporary emergency housing, if so ordered by the court.
At the time of the “Blou Huis” group’s eviction, Drakenstein Municipality’s emergency housing site, Schoongezicht, was not ready for occupation. The Municipality therefore provided the group – approximately 60 households – with temporary alternative accommodation in the New Orleans Park resort in Paarl East.
The Municipality was fully aware that this situation was not ideal – not for the evictees, neither for the surrounding communities. It was, however, a temporary arrangement and the best temporary alternative accommodation option at that stage. At this time in 2016, the head of each “Blou Huis” household signed an agreement to the effect that their relocation to New Orleans Park was an interim measure until the completion of the Schoongezicht site.
While the Municipality prepared the Schoongezicht site – for the “Blou Huis” evictees as well as other groups – a part of this site was invaded by backyard dwellers residing in the surrounding communities. Municipal officials had to intervene and restore peace before any moves could take place – in the interest of the safety of people, of their property, and of municipal infrastructure.
In the meanwhile, the Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality, Mayoral Committee Members and officials constantly updated the “Blou Huis” evictees on the latest developments, meeting with them, and taking them on a site visit to Schoongezicht to view their new temporary housing.
At this time, residents of the surrounding neighbourhood closest to New Orleans Park started to indicate that they were unhappy with the evictees living in the resort and according to them, the occupation of the resort has led to the devaluation of their properties. They further mentioned that a solution must urgently be found, because crime had increased since the occupation of the resort by the evictees.
The Schoongezicht site is now ready for occupation. Drakenstein Municipality has issued a letter to each “Blou Huis” household, informing them of their proposed relocation date (22 September 2021) and invited them to come and complete the required documents. Their move to the identified emergency housing site will be in line with the court order of 2016 and subsequent agreements.
At the Schoongezicht site, the Municipality is offering each “Blou Huis” household a 6m x 4m structure on a fully serviced erf, which includes water and ablution facilities, electricity, tarred roads, wheelie bins and street lights.
When the Municipality showed representatives of the “Blou Huis” evictees their new accommodation at Schoongezicht, they were very impressed. The Municipality is however aware that third parties with particular agendas are influencing these evictees to remain in the resort, encouraging them to make various demands for formal housing. This is incredibly unfair towards the evictees who have been waiting patiently for a better life in their new accommodation. Such exploitation can only disadvantage them.
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Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
