New DSD strategy will only fund four homeless shelters in Gauteng
The Department of Social Development has introduced a new strategy, which will see them funding only four shelters in Gauteng.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) recently launched a new strategy for homeless persons and shelters that cater to them.
According to the DSD’s new strategy, they will only fund four homeless shelters in Gauteng, one in Johannesburg, which is said to cater for over 15 000 homeless people and three in Sedibeng.
Kempton Park CBD has an estimated minimum of 1 500 homeless people and the city of Tshwane has over 10 000 homeless.
ALSO READ: Gauteng Department of Social Development condemns violence against children
DA spokesperson for Social Development and DA political head in Kempton Park, Bronwynn Engelbrecht, spoke to the Kempton Express.
“The department’s strategy highlights the non-existent collaboration between the department and relevant stakeholders, who are critical pillars to reducing the problem of homelessness,” she said.
She added there is a lack of national legislation that currently deals with homelessness, and because of the complexity of the issue, no specific department is prepared to take responsibility.
“We applaud the work by civil society organisations to address the challenges facing homeless people; however, they cannot do it alone; the government must assist them.”
Engelbrecht added the party would continue to advocate for homeless people’s access to social services, including reunification services that reunite them with their families.
“We will not sit back and let the DSD neglect its duty to support homeless people,” she said.
The Kempton Express spoke to Thapelo Molefe, a homeless man from Kempton Park CBD.
“We are already struggling to get food at local shelters and this new strategy by the department is going to make it harder for us to get food,” he said.
ALSO READ: GDE and Department of Health address suicide among local learners
Molefe added adults sometimes get chased away at shelters. They sometimes only give food to homeless children and have given no reason for this.
The Kempton Express attempted to get further insights and comment from local organisations for the homeless, but they declined to provide comment.
