None of the homeless who were afforded temporary shelter in the Benoni Town Hall during lockdown will be put back on the streets.
This is according to the Gauteng Social Development MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi, who addressed the homeless on the province’s exit strategy at the town hall on September 9.
Mokgethi, along with other government officials, assured beneficiaries they will receive sustainable options to survive beyond the lockdown.
Home Affairs will provide those who require birth certificates and identity documents with these at no cost, while the Department of Health will assist with medical needs and NPOs will provide skills and job readiness programmes to those under the age of 35.
She highlighted that those who want to be reunified with their families who are in a different province can speak to social workers, as travel to the various provinces will be arranged.
Mokgethi explained to those who cannot be reunified that she is working with municipalities to identify vacant buildings where they could stay, which would allow their dignity to be restored in a clean and safe environment.
MMC for Heath and Social Development in Ekurhuleni Nomadlozi Nkosi reiterated that nobody will be moved until a safe place is found.
Mokgethi was pleased to announce no positive Covid-19 cases have been recorded among those residing at the Benoni Town Hall and no cases of gender-based violence have been reported.
She, however, raised her concerns of married couples sharing the same space as this is not permitted at the shelter and explained that married people have certain rights they are allowed to exercise; however, these practices cannot be exercised at the shelter as this would infringe on the rights of others seeking shelter at the town hall.
Shiren and Louis Potgieter, who have been married for over 10 years, said this restriction has been tough on their marriage as they have not been permitted to share the same space for over five months.
“It has been torture and has created small arguments, not only because we cannot spend a lot of time together but also because we are not working and don’t have money,” Louis said.
Before moving to the town hall, the couple stayed at the Benoni Mansions for over two years.
In comparison, they said their stay at the town hall has been much better as they receive food every day and have had a clean, safe place to sleep.
To keep their bond strong, the couple said they make sure they pray together every morning, as their faith is all they have at the moment.
Louis also spends most of his time cleaning at the town hall, to keep busy.
Beneficiaries were given the platform to ask the MEC questions or give comment on anything that concerned them.
While most were grateful to have a place to stay, some said they felt like prisoners as they were not allowed to leave the premises on their own.
The MEC explained they are allowed to go to the shops if accompanied by a social worker to ensure they do not purchase any substances that are not permitted and also for their own safety, as a record has to be kept of the amount of people at the shelter and where they are at all times.
She urged them to make appointments with social workers whenever they need to go shopping.
Mokgethi emphasised the importance of speaking to the social workers on site about any of the issues the homeless face as they are there to help.
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