The Strandfontein Ratepayers and Residents Association is up in arms regarding the City of Cape Town’s alleged plan to provide homes to the homeless as part of its winter readiness plan.
The Association took to Facebook to voice its concerns while making the public aware of these apparent plans:
According to IOL, the chairperson of the association, Mario Oostendurp said that there was no consultation with the communities, ratepayers and residents who will be directly affected by this reported plan.
“This, however is not new to us, as the broader community of Strandfontein, Bayview and San Remo; it seems the City once again appears to be disrespecting our existence as a community, homeowners and ratepayers. This beckons the question as to who will be accommodated and from which areas the homeless persons will be sourced.
“Will this again be from the more affluent areas, where homeless persons are hunted down, in an effort to clear the streets of undesirable persons, in a well executed political and racialised plan, which will see the relocation of 100- plus homeless persons relocated to the periphery of the city. Further to this, there are concerns within the community that the intake may expand to larger numbers and the occupation period be extended,” Oostendurp mentioned.
He added that the City had not played open cards with the broader community in its previous homeless camp initiative.
Meanwhile, this is what Mayco member for community services and health, Zahid Badroodien had to say regarding the tense situation, as per IOL:
“It is disappointing that efforts to support and shelter vulnerable individuals who sleep rough on streets are being obstructed. It is further deplorable that efforts are being undertaken to prevent street people from accessing safer and dignified shelter opportunities.
“If it is the preference of the ratepayers association that these extra beds are not welcome then this is an injustice to our street people that they must shoulder,” said Badroodien.
Picture: Unsplash
