Cape Town refugee crisis: Chickenpox outbreak under investigation

An alleged chickenpox outbreak among refugees currently housed at the Methodist Church on Greenmarket Square in Cape Town, is under investigation.

The chaos and uncertainty surrounding the refugees’ church stay is likely to intensify, following the arrest of the group’s leader and opposition to inspections led by the Western Cape Health Department. The group of refugees were rehomed at the Methodist Church after law enforcement agencies clamped down on their sit-in protest outside the United Nations’ (UN) Cape Town offices in October.

Relationship between refugees and City of Cape Town sours

While the refugees were initially met with empathy and support, internal conflicts, attacks on church staff and the general degradation of the Greenmarket Square precinct has forced the City of Cape Town to initiate eviction procedures.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith, who has warned of dire consequences should the refugee crisis persist, blamed the department of home affairs for failing to take responsibility. The controversial court case, which has pitted the City of Cape Town, seeking urgent evictions, against the department of home affairs, demanding emergency shelter be provided, is expected to continue in January. Smith explained:

“It’s impossible to give them an emergency shelter because there are hundreds of people on a waiting list.”

Health department officials denied access amid chickenpox outbreak

The combative relationship between the city and the refugees shows no signs of abating, following calls from concerned citizens claiming that a serious chickenpox outbreak has swept through the Methodist Church community.

Heeding the calls, the Western Cape health department, which arrived at the church to conduct inspections earlier in the week, were denied entry to the premises by refugees demanding the release of their imprisoned leader, Jean Pierre “JP” Balous.

Department spokesperson Marika Champion confirmed that officials were still in the process of investigating the alleged outbreak, saying:

“The Western Cape government health department was called by concerned people, alerting us of the possibility of some children falling ill inside the church. Health officials went to the church for the routine oversight for any health risk. They are still in the process of checking.”

Power struggle intensifies after Balous’s arrest

Balous, who was arrested on New Year’s Day, faces eight charges of assault and is due to appear before the court on Friday afternoon. The leader’s arrest comes in the wake of fierce internal power struggles which erupted in violence on 30 December.

Reports indicate that Balous, who has led the group since their ejection from the UN premises in October, is currently facing a fierce fight-back from refugees supporting Papy Sukami.

Sukami has accused Balous of fraud, assault and intimidation. Balous’s arrest comes just days after Sukami urged police to imprison the “former leader”, heightening tensions within the displaced community.