MEC Martin Meyer discusses the safety concerns and humanitarian responsibilities surrounding the occupation of the condemned building.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, is facing a complex humanitarian and legal challenge after approximately 1,600 foreign nationals sought shelter in a condemned provincial building in Pietermaritzburg.
While Meyer has maintained that the building is being occupied illegally and poses serious safety risks, he has ruled out an immediate eviction, citing humanitarian concerns amid freezing winter temperatures and fears of violence.
The occupation followed protests in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, during which a foreign national was reportedly killed. Fearing further unrest, hundreds of foreign nationals began moving into the abandoned provincial building on Saturday morning in search of temporary refuge.
Despite the presence of security personnel, the building was quickly overwhelmed after individuals breached the gates. More than 150 people had already entered before members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrived on the scene.
