Homeless still left on streets, but some leave shelters

Despite the lockdown, homeless people are still being left to fend for themselves on Eastern Cape streets.

The homeless are considered a high-risk group for contracting the virus, but to date have not enjoyed many of the protections promised by the government.

In Cape Town, the municipality has come under fire for “dumping” the homeless in marquee tents on the outskirts of town.  

A fuming DA councillor in King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality, Raymond Knock, said the fact that the homeless were not being properly accommodated presented risks to others.

Mthatha businessman Vuyisile Ntlabati, who is also the Eastern Cape Chamber of Business president, described the situation as scary.

“This is a direct violation of the lockdown regulations announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who instructed authorities in municipalities to provide shelter to the homeless during the lockdown,” he said.

But social development authorities within the OR Tambo district insist the homeless were rounded up and taken to shelters in Mthatha.

However, some had left the facilities, they said.

“Some said they have homes and wanted to go to their families,” said social development district spokesperson Nomasakhe Nonxuba.

Knock, who sent the Dispatch several photographs showing homeless people sleeping in front of shops in Madeira Street and York Road, disputed Nonxuba’s comments, saying he had spoken to four homeless people who told him no-one from the government had approached them since the start of the lockdown.

“That [what she is saying] is a blatant lie.

“Those people are hungry and have to fend for themselves.”

He said the situation increased the risk of the virus spreading.

Knock said many homeless people relied on the goodwill of others as they begged for food and money.

“This means there is a physical exchange of money which increases the risk,” he said.

KSD municipal spokesperson Sonwabo Mampoza has also expressed concern that the homeless are  still roaming the streets, but insisted that social development was handling the situation.

Ntlabati said having so many people sleeping in front of shops was not good for business.

The Mthatha Ratepayers and Residents Association councillor in KSD, Booi Malghas, accused the homeless of being behind some of the home burglaries in the area.

“Our houses are being ransacked,” he said.

But Nonxuba told the Dispatch that three shelters, Eluxolweni, Bosasa and Khanyisa, had been set up to accommodate the homeless.

She said they had tried to search for those who had left but with very little success.

“You can’t find them anywhere during the day,” Nonxuba said.

The situation is not much better in Buffalo City.

DA MP Chantel King told the Dispatch on Friday that “most homeless shelters had challenges with homeless people absconding”.

“They prefer to be on the streets to fend for themselves,” said King.

But she commended shelters for ensuring “as best as possible that lockdown regulations are adhered to and that screening is conducted”.

“Visiting these shelters I established that the homeless [were] concerned about their plight after lockdown.

“In this regard, the municipality should consider working with NGOs to identify shelters for permanent use,” said King.

She said it was fortunate that no coronavirus cases had been reported in these shelters.

She stressed that at the Southernwood shelter, a TB case had been identified but that the matter was quickly resolved.

BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya had not responded at the time of writing.

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