Migrants who were camping outside the Central Methodist Church in Cape Town, South Africa were removed on Sunday (March 1) in a joint operation between the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement division and the South Africa Police Service.

On February 17, the Western Cape High Court granted the City of Cape Town an order allowing the enforcement of its municipal bylaws.

Refugees who were squatting in the Greenmarket Square area of the Cape Town CBD in a joint operation between the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement division, the South Africa Police Service and other agencies.

On 17 February the Western Cape High Court granted the City of Cape Town an order allowing the enforcement of its municipal bylaws.

The refugees moved into the Central Methodist Church in October after they were given refuge in the building after being removed from the UNHCR offices about a 100 metres away from the church.

As the church filled up the refugees started squatting in the area around the church. Soon tents were set up and people started bathing, cooking and defecating in open spaces.

As a result of the refugee settlement, many businesses around Greenmarket Square sustained huge losses during the peak tourist season in December. Many businesses in the area closed as patrons and tourists stayed away.