[ad_1]
By IOL Reporter 
1 hour ago
Cape Town: The queer group of “artivists” occupying an Airbnb mansion in Camps Bay since Monday has not left the premises after the property management group asked them to leave before 5pm on Thursday to make way for the new guests who would arrive on Friday.
The district attorney said that while he fully supports the rights of the LGBTQIA + community, he “rejects the ongoing illegal occupation.”
Zakhele Mbhele MP, DA’s spokesperson on small business development, said in a statement: “It is hypocritical to claim that a rights-based agenda is being advanced in violation of the rights of others, and we support Airbnb’s claim that occupants illegally leave the premises. “
One of the seven #WeSeeYouMovement members told the Daily Voice that they are having “sleepless nights” because they are worried they will be evicted.
Advertised on short-term rental sites like Airbnb and booking.com, a weekend at the house costs R16,000. The “art collective of queer black and middle-class activists of color” said their occupation is in “solidarity with the landless people and economic inequality aggravated by the coronavirus and the subsequent blockade.”
“The squatters of this property are not simply the self-described victims, but are undermining the legitimate fight of many to advance LGBTQIA + rights,” the district attorney said.
“His actions are polluting that fight and putting his own interests above those of the owner of this property and the tourism and hospitality industry of which he is a part, an industry responsible for thousands of jobs in South Africa.
“The right to property is protected by article 25 (1) of the Constitution: ‘No one can be deprived of property except in the terms of the law of general application, and no law can allow arbitrary deprivation of property.’ .
“While we sympathize with your cause to highlight the plight of vulnerable queers, women and children in South Africa, illegally occupying someone else’s property completely distracts from your goal.
“Your illegal action will only have an adverse result for your cause, as well as for the tourism and hospitality industry, and does not promote the good will of the public …
“Criminal action that violates the rights of others, even with the best of intentions, will never and can never be the solution.
“The LGBTQIA + community often faces severe discrimination and violence, even in South Africa, where their rights are enshrined in the Constitution. The cause to highlight these injustices is just; the actions of these occupants are not. “
MESS
[ad_2]
