PASSOP and residents of the De Doorns displaced camp will march from the provincial legislature to the national legislature on 15 June at 2 pm. A petition and memorandum will be delivered to both locations demanding the government shuts the camp through meaningful engagement with the displaced residents.PASSOP is encouraged by our meeting with officials earlier today over our protest application. We are relieved to know they respect our right to protest, especially in light of it being scheduled during the World Cup.
PASSOP has made numerous attempts to express its frustration over the De Doorns camp to the provincial government through quieter means of communication. The government is keeping the camp open and spending more than ten times the amount it would cost to work with the elected committee of the displaced to close it. PASSOP sees no other option than to protest. The government cannot maintain the status quo of making the displaced wait indefinitely for the means required to continue their lives. The displaced and the government’s constituents deserve better.
PASSOP, which believes the provincial government has been dishonest in its statements about the De Doorns camp, hopes the protest will serve as a wake up call. The government must operate in an honest, inclusive manner with all stakeholders, including PASSOP and the displaced.