OPINION: Homelessness in Mogale: ‘More can and should be done’
A resident believes that more can and should be done by the powers at be regarding homelessness in Mogale City.
• Anonymous writes:
I recently moved to Rant-en-Dal.
My concern is various people are living in the veld and at shopping centres. The Department of Human Settlements and Social Development in Mogale City are not addressing the matter. They seem to fail the community. The drains and municipal lawn areas are not cleaned. This could lead to increased crime such as street robbery and rape. Higher break-ins at properties and theft out of motor vehicles can occur.
Where do these people sleep and eat? Is there medical care for them? Water and sewage? The homeless use the common streams to wash. Toilets are in the veld, etc. Some homeless people can turn to crime.
Are the people undocumented immigrants? Ex-convicts? How do the average person weigh up their lives in the area? Are they happy?
I’m sure many have raised this issue. Another concern is where ex-convicts from Krugersdorp prison are sent after their prison sentence. I hope they are not the ones drifting around in the Krugersdorp area.
A released prisoner will easily commit a crime again in the community.
My humble request is for the Department of Health, Human Settlements and Correctional Services as well as Mogale City to intervene and address the issue as they are failing the community.
Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) communications officer Adrian Amod responded:
“It is not true that the municipality does not care about homelessness. There are several interventions in place to address this complex issue, which requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Mogale City has established a Homeless Stakeholder Forum that includes government departments, NGOs, and concerned individuals,” Amod said.
Key undertaken and ongoing interventions so far include:
• Outreach campaigns conducted periodically to gather information.
“However, co-operation is often a challenge, with some individuals providing false details. Through these campaigns, it has become evident that substance abuse is a major factor contributing to homelessness, resulting in family rejection or individuals choosing voluntary street living. In some cases, our research has revealed that some of the people living on the streets were given houses in Chief Mogale, but these houses have been sold.”
• During these outreach efforts, services such as health screenings, grooming facilities, and clothing donations are provided in partnership with the Department of Health and NGOs. The most recent outreach was held in Krugersdorp in November 2024.
• The municipality has successfully placed some individuals in rehabilitation centres, but this is only for those willing to accept the provided support and assistance. Sadly, a significant and therefore worrying number of individuals, however, do not wish to be helped.
• The non-government organisation QRRC in Magaliesburg for example offers accommodation, psycho-social services, and skills development. However, their support is often declined. Nevertheless, this remains one of the key facilities where we can place individuals who are willing to seek assistance.
• Additionally, land has been allocated to the Gauteng Department of Social Development for the establishment of Parkhomes to house the homeless. The procurement process is in its final stages. This is one of the key solutions identified by the government to address the homelessness challenge.
Response on the issue of ex-convicts and their reintegration into society
“The reintegration of former inmates is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Correctional Services, which implements rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for parolees and released individuals. The municipality does not have jurisdiction over the placement or monitoring of former prisoners, but we remain open to working with relevant authorities to address any community concerns.
“Mogale City remains committed to implementing ongoing and effective interventions to support homeless individuals in partnership with the provincial government which also plays an important role regarding the issue of homelessness and related matters. We will therefore continue to work collaboratively with these and other government departments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to provide essential services we mandated and funded to and help place the homeless in suitable homes,” Amod concludes.
