The area outside the Green Point Tennis Court, where people once lived, is now vacant. This after the occupants of the area known as “Tent City”, were evicted on Thursday.

The City of Cape Town says the Sheriff of the Western Cape High Court concluded the eviction – after the court in December granted the City with the eviction order. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says this follows two years of “due process” to assist the illegal occupants.

ALSO READ: Green Point’s ‘Tent City’: Final eviction order granted

“The City extended every offer of care to individuals unlawfully living at the tennis courts. Importantly, these offers still stand even for those evicted today who have refused all support over time. While all our efforts are underpinned by care, it is still vital that public places are open and available to all.”

Hill-Lewis says the tennis courts will now be restored for public use.

Meanwhile, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says the Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act places an unrealistic burden on the owners of public property, when that property is occupied and alternate accommodations are denied.

Smith adds that the area will be monitored to prevent a recurring issue.

“There is a Law Enforcement deployment plan in place to secure the property and ensure it doesn’t get occupied again post-eviction.”

ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Fiery end to Green Point tent city

Where to next?

After the “Tent City” eviction, the City is now moving to clear out other public spaces.

Hill-Lewis says it was recently granted another two eviction orders for homeless encampments in the vicinity of the Nelson Mandela Boulevard intersection, as well as Victoria and Kloof Roads in Camps Bay. People living there, who have not relocated yet, will be evicted by the Sheriff of the Western Cape High Court in March.

“The Sheriff will conduct an eviction of any remaining unlawful occupants [in Camps Bay] after 7 March. The [Nelson Mandela Boulevard] order permits the Sheriff of the court to evict any remaining unlawful occupants if needed after 14 March.”