South African media denied entrance to homeless camp during COVID-19 pandemic

South African media denied entrance to homeless camp during COVID-19 pandemic

The media have been locked out of a homeless camp set up by the City of Cape Town to house homeless people for the duration of the country's coronavirus lockdown.

Today, it is alleged that two homeless people breached the walls of the facility and escaped.

Yesterday it was reported that Cape Town Law Enforcement officers fired rubber bullets at the crowd after some people tried to leave the camp.

Today Chris Nissen, a commissioner with the South African Human Rights Commission visited the site to investigate whether the rights of those in the camp have been violated.

He also said he wants the facility to be opened to the media so that conditions within the camp can be reported on.

Since Sunday, the media have been denied access to the facility, and no reporters have been allowed to enter the facility or speak to any of the homeless people at the site.

Some reporters were allowed access to the site on Sunday 5 April.

This video was filmed on April 8.