Community awaits promised Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter engagement
In her World Homeless Day address, the deputy mayor expressed concern about allegations of sabotage at Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter.
ETHEKWINI Municipality observed World Homeless Day on October 10, and provided an update on the progress of the controversial Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter project in Lower Illovo.
Also read: Lower Illovo marches against homeless shelter project
On the other hand, the community said engagements regarding the shelter, as promised by Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni, have not materialised. The Lower Illovo residents and business owners have been dead against a homeless shelter being built in their community, as they feel it will lead to an increase in crime in the area. eThekwini did not consult the community about the project before it started, and residents only learnt of it after the SUN broke the story. After a massive community backlash when construction started, Myeni promised there would be continuous engagement with the community to chart an amicable way forward.
The spokesperson of the Lower Illovo residents’ committee opposing the shelter, Gopie Tagat, said only one meeting was held with eThekwini.
In her World Homeless Day address, the deputy mayor expressed concern about allegations of sabotage at Sakhithemba, stating that some individuals have embarked on a deliberate campaign to discredit the project and rally the community against it.
“We will not allow misinformation or divisive tactics to derail a project that is designed to uplift and empower,” she said.
Tagat denied that anyone was agitating the community.
“This shelter is only 2m from the Lower Illovo Primary School. How is it sabotage when you state the facts as they are?” asked Tagat.
Myeni said the shelter’s proximity to a school will not compromise the children’s and the community’s safety, and that measures are in place to offer protection. eThekwini said that after its completion, the shelter will offer skills development, job opportunities, and access to social services for the homeless before they are reintegrated into society.
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
