DSD fails to assist over 50 000 Gauteng homeless people

23 August 2023

Over 50 000 homeless people in Gauteng are unemployed, starving, lack social security, and most suffer from substance abuse, while the Department of Social Development (DSD) is dragging its feet in addressing this plight.

The latest homeless strategy presented by DSD revealed that the department only funds four homeless shelters in Gauteng: one in Johannesburg, which supposedly caters to over 15 000 homeless people, and three in Sedibeng.

This is not enough, especially when the Kempton Park CBD has a minimum of 1500 and Tshwane has over 10 000 homeless people.

The DSD's strategy highlights the non-existent collaboration between the department and relevant stakeholders, who are critical pillars to reducing the problem of homelessness. There is also a lack of national legislation that currently deals with the issue of homelessness, and no specific department is prepared to take responsibility due to the complexity of the issue.

We applaud the work being done by civil society organisations to address the challenges facing homeless people; however, they cannot do it alone; the government must assist them.

DSD has proven to have no interest in working with municipalities, NPOs, and other stakeholders to provide care and support to homeless people.

The DA will write to MEC Mbali Hlope to ascertain when her department will collaborate with the Department of Infrastructure to identify unused government buildings that can be used as homeless shelters.

The DA will continue to advocate for homeless people's access to social services, including reunification services that reunite them with their families. We will not sit back and let DSD neglect its duty to provide support to homeless people.

Issued by Bronwynn Engelbrecht, DA Spokesperson for Social Development and DA Political Head in Kempton Park, 23 August 2023