Gauteng Province denies Tshwane metro R23.3-million for funding

The money is said to be allocated to the Gauteng Department of Social Development by the Provincial Treasury.

Tshwane MMC of community and social development services Thabisile Vilakazi said: “We asked the province to assist with making available R23.3-million.

“This was going to be used specifically to refurbish buildings that are owned by the city to accommodate space for 1 130 homeless people.”

According to Vilakazi, the province cited that the millions received from Treasury were not to deal with infrastructure.

However, “they fail to mention what the money is meant to be used for if not to service homeless shelters,” said Vilakazi.

She said the Tshwane metro had planned to refurbish some city-owned buildings within each region.

She added currently, the metro did not have enough budget to finance the infrastructure.

“We mainly focus on short-term interventions such as relief packages that include food, blankets, mattress and hygiene packs.

“In terms of long-term interventions, we need the provincial government to come on board, as they are the ones who have the financial strength to make such interventions possible,” Vilakazi said.

This comes as the Tshwane metro had also allocated R5-million to No. 2 Struben shelter upgrades in the Pretoria CBD, in the financial year 2019/20. However, the project could not take off due to the funds being re-allocated to Covid-19 projects.

Vilakazi said No. 2 Struben was highly complicated as it was hijacked by criminal elements.

She said the metro had plans to decommission the shelter.

“However, before we can decommission it we have to have alternative accommodation for the homeless people who currently reside there.”

She said provincial governments assistance was needed for Tshwane to create much needed transitional shelters and refurbishing of existing shelters.

Vilakazi said the Tshwane metro had found it difficult to service the homeless, mainly due to its financial state.

“It is difficult because we are abandoned by the provincial government. There is no way that local government will be able to solve homelessness alone. We need both the national and provincial government to come onboard.”

Vilakazi said No. 2 Struben shelter was declared inhabitable by Fire, Social Development and Municipal Health.

However, Shelter residents’ chairperson Solly Hadebe said there was a lack of care at the only city-run shelter.

He said the Vilakazi had only been at the shelter twice.

“She has only been here to visit the place when she was appointed and again when an accident had occurred late at night on December 26.

“I remember how she asked us all about our problems and promised us to assist us in maintaining this place, through cleaning materials, since we were moving soon.

“She even promised women sanitary pads, however, there has been no word so far,” Hadebe said.

The shelter houses 435 people, including children and people with disabilities.

According to Hadebe the numbers had increased along with criminality occurring at the shelter.

He alleged that criminals with guns, that targeted motorists and pedestrians on CBD streets, used the shelter as a hide-out.

He said the shelter was not ideal for children due to substance abusers and criminals there.

“We cannot say we are happy here. The situation is bad for us. The idea to move us was great and the promises, however, we have been enduring the cold and we use mbaula [braziers] to keep warm,” citing that not much had changed.

He said many residents of No. 2 Struben shelter did not have blankets, mattresses and were either sleeping on the floor or even outside.

“Many people are sick or sneezing as the recent cold nights had become very bad.”

He said no body of government seemed to care for them as they relied on donations and NGOs for survival.

The Gauteng provincial government have not responded to inquiries sent.