Informal dwellings have been popping up all over the city -- and in a park in front of my home. One just can't think up the problems which are connected with this. But this post is about the park dwellers themselves. It is not in their interests to stay in a park:
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They are very vulnerable in regard to their health. One of them was
picked up sick last week, and died. It doesn't get worse than that.
• One of the residents is a woman on her own. In an open park, this encourages gender-based violence. There are repeated screams for help, or in self-defence.
• One of the residents is a woman on her own. In an open park, this encourages gender-based violence. There are repeated screams for help, or in self-defence.
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The residents of the park are under threat. They see what goes down, they know what goes down, and they have reported fear of reprisals.
•
The park is the occupiers' "facilities". This runs counter to ward requirements, that people in the ward should live in decent circumstances.
• And of course, the SA Constitution guarantees basic rights. Long-term occupiers of a park do not receive these rights.
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