The Methodist Church is in the process of bringing an eviction order against hundreds of refugees who have been living in its Central Methodist Mission in Cape Town since last year, on the grounds of health and safety.

‘The grounds are what we've been saying all along – it's been a health and safety risk from the beginning,’ said Reverend Alan Storey.

He added the safe space was no longer a safe space due to the risks, and the church would be defeating its original offer and intention – of safety – to let the group stay.

According to a News24 report, Storey said the risk of Covid-19 had brought an additional sense of urgency, but they were not doing it just to clear out the church.

He added there were children who have not been outside the church on Greenmarket Square since 29 December, when a leadership dispute split the group in two – with one inside and another outside the church.

A note has also been put up outside the church recently by the group to ask tourists not to enter as they have usually done as Covid-19 measures are in place.

One of the leaders of the ‘inside’ group at the Central Methodist Mission, JP Balous, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court last week.

His case was postponed to 30 March.

Storey said lawyers were still working on the latest application, and he did not have a court date yet.

Full News24 report