/ 6 October 2011

ConCourt dismisses Schubart Park evacuation appeal

The Constitutional Court has dismissed a bid by Schubart Park residents to challenge an evacuation order, according to a report on Thursday.

Residents from Pretoria’s troubled Schubart Park complex had their bid to overturn a high court judge’s ruling ordering them to evacuate their flats dismissed, the Pretoria News reported on Thursday.

According to the report the Constitutional Court rejected the application because it “was not in the interest of justice to hear it at this stage”.

High Court Judge Bill Prinsloo ordered residents to vacate the flats following violent protests last month which saw 79 people arrested. The protest erupted over cuts in electricity and water supply to the building.

The building was declared unsafe. Prinsloo ordered the Tshwane Metro, which owned the complex, to refurbish it within the next 18 months.

Residents were being provided with alternative accommodation in the meantime.

Lawyers for Human Rights made the Constitutional Court application on behalf of the residents. — Sapa