As parties bid for votes, homeless call for rights

AS political parties jostle for votes ahead of the November 1 local government elections, parties in eThekwini yesterday interacted with some homeless citizens of the city on issues plaguing those living on the streets.

Some of the pressing problems facing homeless people in the city, as indicated in the National Homeless Manifesto presented to some of the leaders of the ANC, DA, IFP and Action SA in the city, were shelter, access to health care, access to sanitation and ablution, equal treatment by local law and security forces, and increasing economic opportunities.

The meeting was held at the Denis Hurley Centre.

Mxolisi Johannes Mavimbela, a representative of the homeless who delivered the manifesto, said that the majority of homeless people wanted to get off the streets by finding work.

He lamented that municipal regulations were prejudiced against the poor and the informal economy.

“We demand a review of the policies of the Business Support Unit to create more opportunities that are designed for informal traders. The development of a more just recycling industry is also called for.

“This will stimulate a thriving street economy that not only helps homeless people to get off the streets, but also contributes to the wider local economy,” Mavimbela said.

He also called for the city to redefine the practices by which by-laws were enforced by Metro Police or private security companies funded by the city. Mavimbela said law enforcement should be consistent with the constitutional rights of the homeless.

Ntandoyenkosi Khuzwayo, ANC councillor in eThekwini, said that the biggest challenge was access to the economy and money. “We must ensure that people have access to economic opportunities, be it business, be it work, so that they can determine their own fates,” Khuzwayo said.

Jonathan Annipen, IFP candidate councillor in eThekwini, said that it should not be said that the homeless should remain homeless, but instead there should be a rehabilitation and counselling process to help the homeless reintegrate into society.

Sakhile Mngadi, DA PR councillor in eThekwini, said that there was only one drug rehabilitation centre, which was in ward 11 of the city, which meant that people with drug addiction problems were put on waiting lists for six months to get help.