City of Tshwane to accommodate the homeless people
The City of Tshwane is to intensify its on-going consultations with relevant stakeholders to identify ways to protect the homeless around the City following the recent mysterious killings of homeless people which has sparked fears of a serial killer on the loose.
Yesterday, 19 June 2019, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Community and Social Development Services Councillor (Cllr) Sakkie du Plooy met with several concerned homeless people where the discussions were centered around the possibility of making properties of the City available to be developed into transit centers for the homeless. So far, the City has, through the directive of the Executive Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa, identified two properties that are likely to serve as transit centers.
“While we acknowledge that there is still a lot that needs to be done to address the plight of the homeless, the City has made significant strides on various initiatives that are aimed at improving the situation. For instance, the Homeless Policy that has been drafted after intensive public participation with stakeholders such as the Tshwane Homeless Forum (THF), is in the final stages of approval and should provide a clear path on how to address this issue going forward,” said Cllr du Plooy.
For the first time, the City has budgeted a specific amount address homelessness in the next financial year (2019/20).
“An amount of R5 million rand has been set aside to upgrade present shelters and to investigate measures for the development of more shelters for the homeless. We are also on the verge of concluding a deal with a reputable Non-Profit Organisation which will help us to manage the No:2 Struben street shelter for the homeless. This is however a very complicated exercise as the structure needs to be upgraded to ensure that it is fit for human occupation. We also need to upgrade security and conduct a comprehensive audit to ensure that the place caters for the real homeless people,” emphasized MMC du Plooy.
The City will ensure that strict measures are implemented to ensure that caretakers of these buildings are capable of managing such facilities and do not exploit the homeless.
“We are making a plea to other government departments and the private sector to make a contribution to this vulnerable social group, the homeless, by providing jobs, accommodation and food,” concluded MMC du Plooy.
Issued by Group Communication, Marketing and Events.