Non-profit organisations and community members have been fuming for the past two days after it came to light that Mogale City Public Safety had removed belongings from the homeless twice in less than a week – all within what is regarded as one of the coldest weeks of 2022.

It all started on Thursday, June 9 when Public Safety officials went around town removing blankets, clothing and other belongings from people living on the streets. Knowing about the cold front sweeping through the country, charity organisations around Krugersdorp quickly sprung into action to assist with warm blankets before the cold front hit. But before the coldest night of the year even arrived, Public Safety once again took to the streets on Tuesday, June 14 to remove the new blankets and other belongings.

The question is, how do you survive on the street without blankets, warm clothing or even shoes in temperatures of minus two degrees?

A man had died
On Saturday, June 11 the 33-year-old Paul Vermaak was found dead on the street. Although there is speculation that he overdosed, there is more to his story. Those who knew him explained to the News that Paul was involved in a fight on Tuesday, June 7 during which he was allegedly stabbed just above his right knee. Paul just went downhill from there. Although they found him a warm enough safe space to sleep and gave him pain medication Paul was still on the street. On Thursday when Public Safety came, he allegedly told them that he had been stabbed and asked them to help him. Other homeless people alleged that Public Safety officials told Paul that they didn’t care and he could ‘f*****g die on the street’. They took his mattress, blanket, ID and other belongings and left him there.

On Saturday morning Paul was found blue with black eyes and a swollen belly because he did not get the help he needed.

More stories
Numerous other homeless people told the News that they went back to the Cradle of Hope to get other blankets because they were not given time to take their belongings before it was burned on Thursday. The officials allegedly poured petrol onto their tents and lit it with a match. Everything they owned was inside, a woman told the News.

When they tried to keep hold of their belongings they allegedly were beaten. A man showed the News his hands where he claimed he was beaten when trying to get back his belongings.

The R50 saved up for medicine, cancer medication, a Bible, photos of someone’s deceased child, ID books, shoes, toys, clothing, certificates and diplomas fuelled the fire that burnt their belongings.

A teary-eyed man explained that he had been collecting clothing and toys for when he could see his child again. Everything was reduced to ashes.

They do isot claim to be angels and admitted that most of them use drugs. But like a woman explained, if they have to go back to the shelters or the clinic every week and say their blankets or medication had been taken by Public Safety who was going to believe them? People would think they sold them.

The voice of the voiceless
Melodie van Brakel from the Cradle of Hope said the street dwellers are the voiceless as they are not given the opportunity to speak. Melodie, however, said they would be their voice.

The News requested Mogale City Local Municipality to respond to the events before its 16:00 deadline today.