COSATU outraged at death of homeless person in Cape Town

COSATU is outraged at the death of the homeless person in Cape Town. This is a testimony to the attitude of the City of Cape Town which has demonstrated a complete disregard for the plight of the poor. They may do some things that can get into the news in respect of the disaster management. Nothing is done in respect of averting disasters.

The desperation of poor people is self evident in a city with a 23 % unemployment level, but the City tries to chase these poor desperate people out of the City Bowl, so they become invisible and irrelevant. Instead of providing some night shelter for the poor, the authorities in the City Bowl instructs enforcement officers to confiscate the meagre possessions people have to fight the cold.

This City is meant to be a world-class City, but that is only in respect of the wealthy. The misery and desperation this City plunges people into is shocking. Their disregard for the plight of the desperate is shocking.

Following on the assault of the street busker, this death must also be laid at the door of the City, who has no plan that is commensurate with the challenges that exist. This kind of attitude of the City administrators is prevalent throughout the City of Cape Town.

The notion of a caring City is reserved for the wealthy who get the bus services from IRT first and the roll out of the broadband to the wealthier neighbourhoods first. The poor comes a distant second in the City of Cape Town.

Statement issued by COSATU W Cape Provincial Secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, August 29 2013

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