Gaironeesa Hendricks, 66, her sickly sister Johanna Philander, 62, her grandson Jamie Hendricks, eight, who has Down Syndrome, and six other relatives all lived in the rented flat at 42 Sterling Court, Retreat.
On Thursday, the family was evicted, and left standing in the courtyard with their furniture, clothing and other belongings.
Gaironeesa’s daughter Toeghieda Hendricks, 34, who has three other children, her son Shaheed Hendricks, 44, and another two-month-old granddaughter, also lived with her.
No one in the family has a job.
Gaironeesa says the City of Cape Town gave her an eviction notice two months ago and on Thursday, officials threw them out and boarded up the door.
She says they were told they will now be moving to Blikkiesdorp.
She believes they’ve been evicted because of failure to pay rent.
The granny says they survive by rummaging in dirtbins and collecting items which can be sold for scrap.
Photo: Jack Lestrade
“I have nowhere to go to, I have been unemployed for 10 years after working for a cleaning company, “ she says.
“The City wants me to go to Blikkiesdorp, but how can I go there with a Down Syndrome child? The City says I am in arrears with thousands of rands.
“I feed the kids and I have to see to the Downs one. I scratch in the dirtbins and sell the scrap I have to buy food. They say I smokkel but I don’t, only my son used to use drugs.”
Her friend and neighbour Jolene Hendricks, 39, says other tenants have accused Gaironeesa of being “noisy and deurmekaar” but feels the City is being unfair.
“This lady doesn’t deserve this, she is there for everyone,” says Joelene.
Councillor Stuart Diamond, the Mayoral Committee Member for Assets and Facilities Management, says Gaironeesa was evicted because she made life hard for her neighbours.
“The City of Cape Town’s Tenancy Management Department confirms that an eviction order was obtained against the tenant and all those occupying the premises at 42 Sterling Court, Retreat. The eviction order was obtained for anti-social behaviour and not due to rental arrears as is being alleged.
“The City of Cape Town followed prescribed legal processes and the regulatory policies in this regard.
“Eviction is always a last resort and follows various forms of warning. The City has the task of balancing the needs of all residents, including the other rental stock tenants who have the right to a safe and nuisance-free environment.”