Homeless people sheltered at Coen Scholtz Community Centre in Birchleigh North say some conditions have improved since April.
Issues pertaining to food quality, lack of screening protocols, clothes donations and communication about the lockdown were a concern for many.
However, upon Express’ last visit in May, they said the food had improved and clothes were eventually distributed.
According to City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe, they receive three meals a day. Breakfast consists of porridge, oats, boiled eggs, fruit, bread and tea. At lunch, a starch, protein and vegetables are served, followed by a starch, protein and vegetables and fruit for dinner.
One of the homeless at Coen Scholtz, Nico (not his real name) said they were locked up at night with no social worker on site. Although he admitted this was a precondition in order to utilise the facility, he argued it posed a danger in case of a fire or if conflict erupted inside.
He also pointed out that no screening stations were set up at the door for those who entered the facility.
When Express visited the centre in April, a screening station was set up at the entrance. On our second and third visits, no screening was conducted and Nico was gone. It is believed he was turned away after he had left to attend to financial matters, as he was employed before the lockdown.
On April 30, Derick Hardy (52) claimed clothing donations at the centre had been locked up since the start of the lockdown while temperatures had dropped. He said there was a communication barrier with Ekurhuleni’s social workers in charge of facilitating the operation.
“They did not communicate to us about food and clothing donations, and temperatures had started to drop.”
He said they had no access to at least 15 bags of clothes during April.
“We are stranded here with nothing to occupy ourselves with and we’re not allowed to go anywhere. Yes, we have a ball to kick around and some Scrabble pieces as groups make up their own games.”
The boredom leads to conflict among the residents.
According to Gadebe, psycho-social services are offered.
“Individual counselling, group sessions, drug and substance abuse awareness, reintegration with families, family reunification, spiritual upliftment and consultation with health practitioners take place. This also includes the reading of books and magazines, playing soccer and cards.”
During Express’ last visit on May 26, Hardy confirmed matters were looking up.
“The food has improved as on several occasions meat, like a chicken leg or livers, were added, whereas it only used to be starch. We also had access to clothing donations, which made life a little better.
“They still don’t give us clear instructions as to what’s next or how we may obtain Covid-19 grants promised by the president, for instance,” he said.
Gadebe said communication regarding grants was the responsibility of the national and provincial departments of social development.
