Following the uproar after Mogale City Public Safety personnel burned and confiscated blankets, clothes and other belongings from the homeless in Mogale City, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) became involved.

On Friday, June 17 there was a meeting between two members of the Commission, the Mogale City Executive Mayor Councillor Tyrone Gray, Mogale City councillors, NGOs and the homeless residents during which the homeless had the opportunity to tell their stories and voice their concerns.

Also read: Public Safety or public enemy?

The SAHRC said they had become aware of alleged continual harassment of the homeless in Mogale City and had opened an investigation. A stakeholder meeting was scheduled for June 22 and the purpose was for the SAHRC to gather information as part of their investigation.

Buang Jones, the SAHRC Provincial Manager said in his feedback to the News about the meeting that the commission would continue gathering information by obtaining statements from the homeless community in various areas. The municipality will develop a policy pertaining to the homeless and identify an area where the homeless community can be accommodated in the interim.

He added that the municipality would desist from conducting raids in a manner that undermine the rights and dignity of the homeless community.

A joint working committee will be established to draft a Memorandum of Agreement together with an implementation plan before July 6.”

The committee will meet in the next week.

“The Commission will provide human rights sensitisation workshops after investigations have been concluded.”