Residents on homeless crisis

Sandton is dealing with a displaced persons crisis and, in the true spirit of democracy, the public was invited to discuss the issue with authorities at the Rosebank Union Church in Sandton.

Addressing attendees, MMC for Health and Social Development, Dr Mpho Phalatse said, “We need to deal with [this] once and for all. We understand your frustrations and we are committed to solving this problem… In two months, we [the Democratic Alliance] have had so many problems to deal with but we are committed to coming up with a solution.”

Click here to read: George Lea squatters spark opinions

She stressed that the aim was to offer displaced persons a place to live at homeless shelters but said there were simply not enough of these shelters on offer at the moment. “Developing shelters doesn’t happen overnight [but] shelters are in our plans. We are urging the public to be patient.”

MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Department, Anthony Still, offered solutions to the issue of homelessness in the area and referred to waste collectors who make up a large portion of the displaced persons. “The City should provide spaces for these waste collectors. Recyclers should be given spaces where they can conduct their work but they may not sleep on this land,” he said.

Also read: George Lea Park dwellers

He highlighted one of the social issues that these displaced persons faced and compared it to his observations in Calcutta’s impoverished areas in India. “These people [homeless in Sandton] cannot get into homeless shelters because they are undocumented [no proof of identification]. I have been to India and the open spaces are full [of people] and polluted. We cannot allow this to happen.

“There is no halfway house… Either the parks are for kids and walking dogs or we [Sandton] turn into India.”

Ward 103 councillor Vincent Earp discussed the socio-economic crisis in his ward. “There is a criminal element that goes with this [homelessness]. There have been cable theft and muggings along the spruit. The parks are not secure and residents are wary of taking their children to the park.”

Have you read: George Lea Park is still ‘a dump site and home to vagrants’

The discussion was then opened to the floor. One of the residents, Ayesha Simjee said, “I have been engaging with the homeless. Many of the promises that are made to them never materialise. The [Lesotho] embassy should have an obligation towards these people.”