The Tshwane metro has made the safety of the homeless a priority following a string of murders in the city.
Five middle-aged homeless men were found dead in Muckleneuk and Sunnyside over a period of three weeks, fuelling speculation that a serial killer might be on the loose.
The first body was found in a veld near Mears Park train station, almost three weeks ago, the second and third in Magnolia Park on successive days more than a week ago.
ALSO READ: NEWSFLASH: Fifth body of homeless man found in Muckleneuk
The fourth body was found in Sunnyside on Tuesday and on Wednesday another at the Mears Park bus station.
“The City is concerned about the murders that are happening,” said metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
Mashigo said the cases should be treated with sensitivity and the police should be given room to investigate.
NGOs have since called on the metro to make available disused buildings to the homeless.
Other initiatives such as the renovation of the Struben Street shelter for the homeless were part of solving the problem, Mashigo said.
“In the new financial year 2019/20 the shelter was renovated at a cost of R5-million,” he said.
ALSO READ: NEWSFLASH: Another homeless man ‘murdered’ in Sunnyside
“We have been experiencing challenges at the facility such as criminality that have crept in, so we are currently auditing and putting in place security personnel so that the occupants and the vulnerable groups are secured.”
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has instructed a high-level task team to investigate “these mysterious murders”.
The team comprises forensic specialists, pathologists criminal psychologists, intelligence gatherers and detectives.
ALSO READ: Vigil for homeless ‘serial killer’ victims
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
