The Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) said they are doing their part to help the vulnerable and needy residents of Mogale City by removing them from the streets during lockdown.
In a statement sent by the Mayoral spokesperson, Lucky Sele, he said that over the past few days the MCLM, in collaboration with key stakeholders and role players like the Christian Life Savers organisation and the Department of Social Development, have been collecting homeless people from the street through their Public Safety policing.
“This was done by the City in support of the 21-day Covid-19 national lockdown to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, while also providing care for the less advantaged,” said Sele.
He explained that the municipality is guided by available resources and have identified and contributed two halls to accommodate the homeless during the lockdown.
One of the halls currently being used is in Magaliesburg, but two others have also been identified to house the homeless in the event that space at the Magaliesburg hall runs out.
“Fifty-four people are registered and were screened by health-care practitioners from Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital through our local collaborative work, commonly referred to as the War Room in government circles,” he said.
He also informed the News that President Hyper has pledged to cater for the homeless for five days.
“They have so far provided food hampers, soap, toiletries and a few sanitary (dignity) packs as a few females were among the bigger group of homeless people,” Sele said.
He added that some of the homeless chose to leave the hall, alleging that there were not enough food and space, but that was not the case.
“Food has been provided and will continue to be available as the Department of Social Development is ready to take over and continue to provide food parcels for the remainder of the lockdown.”
However, businesses and individuals are encouraged to make whatever possible contribution to help look after the homeless during the lockdown.
“As difficult as it might be to say, we should not shy away from the reality that many of the homeless people housed in these halls have a drug or drinking habit, and are not accustomed to a structured environment. So when they start craving drugs or alcohol, they find ways to satisfy them,” Sele added.
According to his statement, many of those who had left were fetched by people from local shelters run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who knew them.
When the statement was released, MCLM was on day four of this project and although there has been some teething problems, with the continued support of key role players, led by the office of the Executive Mayor, they are doing their best to prevent the spread of the virus by housing and looking after the homeless in this difficult time.
“Further engagement post this 21-day period for a longer-term solution will also be explored in consultation with various role players,” read Sele’s statement.
