Cape Town refugee leader to remain in custody as bail hearing postponed
Picture for illustration. A general view of immigrants at the Central Methodist Church after police were called in to stop infighting amongst refugees on December 30, 2019 in Cape Town. Picture: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach
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JP Balous, who is believed to have been the leader of a group of refugees who have been stationed at the Cape Town Methodist Church, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court court on Friday for the alleged assault of other refugees, with the matter postponed until January 10.
Balous has been denied bail.
On Friday, the court heard that Balous is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has an alternative address in Parow Valley in the northern suburbs and is a father of three.
The State asked for a postponement of the bail proceedings to confirm his details. The request was granted and the case was postponed for a week. Balous will remain in custody.
Refugees protested outside the court, with placards accusing Balous of being an “imposter”. The protesters were calling for bail not to be granted.
Balous was arrested on Wednesday on several charges of assault at the Cape Town Methodist Church.
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“The suspect, who is from Congo, is charged with eight cases of assault – five of which are assault with intention to do grievous bodily harm,” said Brigadier Novela Potelwa in a statement. Balous was not named in the statement.
After his arrest, about 50 members of the refugee group came to the Cape Town central police station to protest against his arrest.
“After being advised to leave, the group duly complied and dispersed. Public Order Police members are keeping an eye on the situation.”
The arrest is part of brewing tensions among refugees who appear to have split into two camps at the Central Methodist Mission.
On Monday, police had to release a stun grenade to stop heated arguments in front of the church on Greenmarket Square, where self-appointed guards were controlling access, News24 reported.
At the time, one of the leaders, Papy Sukami, told News24 that he and JP Balous, with whom he had previously led the group of several hundred people taking refuge, had had a falling out.
“He abused power,” alleged Sukami. “People are victims of his behaviour.”
He said Balous was chasing away people who were trying to help them, including Gift of the Givers.
About 600 people, including more than 100 children, have been living in the church since October 30 after they were forcibly removed from a sit-in protest at the nearby Waldorf Arcade.
They had hoped to be relocated to a country other than their countries of origin, saying they were at risk in South Africa.
Three people were arrested last week Sunday for the possession of dangerous weapons after they became embroiled in an altercation.
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