RAPULA MOATSHE
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has clarified why it has not yet enforced the eviction order against King Khoisan SA and his followers at the Union Buildings despite a 30 day deadline that ended on Saturday for them to vacate the premises.
The group has been camping at the Union Buildings, near the Nelson Mandela statue, for almost seven years fighting for the Khoisan people to be recognised as the first nation in South Africa.
Their demands also include removing the term "coloured" from all government documents.
They made it clear last week they have no intention of leaving despite the court order to vacate the premises.
Department spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said although the judge made the pronouncement on December 11 there was a delay in serving the respondents with the full written judgment, which was made available afterwards.
As a result the department still has a three week period to execute the order.
Journalists have been flocking to the Union Buildings since Saturday, anticipating a potential forced removal of the Khoisan group, who have been protesting there for almost seven years.
Mabaso said delays for executing the eviction order was due to a written ruling which was made available weeks after December 11, outlining exactly what steps need to be taken.
“You can only serve the order when you get it in black and white from the court,” he said.
He said the 30 day countdown for the eviction began only after the respondents, King Khoisan SA and his followers, were formally served with the eviction order, not from the date of the court judgment.
He added that the department is taking a compassionate approach given the tragic car accident which occurred in the Eastern Cape on Friday, resulting in King Khoisan SA being seriously injured and currently hospitalised while his wife Queen Khoisan SA (Cynthia Triagaardt) died.
“We still have three weeks until the deadline. Our focus for now must be on prayers and support to the affected parties. As we do with any human being involved in a tragic accident and losing a pillar of their lives, I think in the spirit of Ubuntu we can offer our support and refrain from other things. But, that does not mean the court order is suspended,” he said.