The homeless get a voice ahead of elections

SCORES of homeless people in Durban were given the opportunity to register to vote as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) set up satellite offices at the Denis Hurley Centre on Wednesday.

The centre’s Director Raymond Perrier said the centre worked with the 4,000-plus homeless people who live in central Durban, 90 per cent of whom are South African citizens but only a handful are registered to vote.

“I am pleased to say that working closely with the IEC we are trying to change that in time for this year’s election. After all, Archbishop Denis Hurley was one of the leaders who fought so hard for democracy in South Africa.”

“The poor are no longer excluded per-se from being voters, but they are much less likely to register and they are much less likely to vote. This is true of most poor groups and even more true of homeless people. The service is open to anyone who comes along and they can register regardless of where they live. We are conscious, for example, that there are traders in the Warwick triangle who were working hard over the weekend and so unable to register,” he said.

Street performer Thulani Makaplan, who has been living on the streets since 1999, said despite the challenges they face as homeless people, it is his right and duty as a citizen of the country.

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“I am might be homeless but I have always voted and I plan to do the same this year. It is no secret who I am going to vote for and I am happy that I am registered. I cannot blame the government for me being on street, it is my own doing and family matters. I am very proud of the progress our country has made since 1994, our people now have homes with electricity and water. Looking back at where we come from as a country, one cannot deny that progress. I hope that our government can work on solving the unemployment issue,” said the 38-year-old Thulani.

Meanwhile, Lundi Gqwaru said he would not be voting after his ID was stolen on his way from Petermaritzburg to Durban.

“I was looking forward to vote but I dont have my ID. I hope the IEC officials will give me advice on how to move forward, as I am someone who doesn’t have an address.”

“Unfortunately, almost half of the homeless people do not have IDs and so have become non-people. In some cases, they lost them or they were stolen – in far too many cases they disappeared when police raided the places where the homeless were sleeping or confiscated their meagre belongings. The local Home Affairs office has been co-operative in helping us to help the homeless and secure them IDs. But the further problem is that, while a first ID is free, a replacement costs R140: too much for the homeless person and indeed for the DHC. We are hoping that Home Affairs will soften their hearts and come up with a waiver so that homeless people can get IDs and join those who are now registering,” said Perrier.

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