GROUP OCCUPIES CAMPS BAY MANSION AS THEY REQUIRE “A SAFE SPACE TO STAY”

A group of people referring to themselves as "Queer Activists" have occupied a mansion in Camps Bay illegally.

In a statement released by the group on a Facebook page called "We See You", Kelly-Eve Koopman said that "our action is part of a global movement of occupiers who do not have homes, particularly those that are close to home that are landless, cannot afford their rent or face violence in their place of residence".

News24 reports that one of the occupants, Xena Scullard, said that they entered the property by pooling resources from friends, family and supporters and booked a two-night-stay through AirBnB. They are now on their fifth day and third unpaid day, and while they still had water and electricity, they expected that this may be disconnected.

As for AirBnB, they have said that they respect freedom of expression and the right to protest, but that they support the owner of the mansion based on the trust that the owner has put in the booking platform to host guests on their behalf.

The Citizen reports that the group hopes the owners of the mansion will support their move to create a space to be used for communal care, healing, and the arts. Currently the place is empty and only used when it is rented through AirBnB.

So far, no new reports have surfaced on the current state of the occupation of the mansion and the owner's response.

Watch the Morning Shot video below for his opinion on the Camps Bay mansion currently being occupied by the group.

Image credits: EWN and The South African