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GOOD is concerned by developments that Tshwane's only metro-run homeless shelter is facing complete closure. 

We call on Mayor Cilliers Brink to fast-track plans to convert abandoned city buildings into homeless shelters in light of this news.

The announcement of the Struben Street Shelter's imminent closure was made by Gauteng MEC Mbali Hlophe on Tuesday. 

The Shelter was founded in 2005 but fell into disrepair in recent years. It houses double the number of homeless people it is intended for. The toilets on site overflow with waste, and drug gangs have expanded their operations into the facility. According to the City's spokesperson, "the place has been declared unsafe for the people to stay in."

There are no plans to build new shelters as the City struggles with a chronic revenue shortage, all thanks to years of shoddy financial management by the ANC and DA.

A survey done by the city in collaboration with the University of Pretoria and the Tshwane Homelessness Forum in May revealed that 4000 people live on Tshwane's streets. According to Census 2022 figures, Tshwane makes up the highest proportion of homeless South Africans.

The figures and decay of existing shelters show a city that has abandoned responsibility.

Recently, Mayor Brink has floated the idea of working with NGOs to convert abandoned city buildings into temporary homeless shelters. This move should be commended, but we must also ensure it isn't just hot air. We ask the Mayor to accelerate implementation plans for this proposal.

At the same time as this promise is made, the City auctions off 'underutilized' property to strengthen its finances. If the city has underutilized property at its disposal, then there is no excuse not to take the first steps in addressing homelessness.

The mayor must not be so fixated on complete financial stability that he neglects his social responsibilities. Financial health and social justice are not binary choices. This is not a dichotomy; it just requires political will.

The DA-led City of Cape Town regularly sells well-located land to private buyers—well-located land which could be used to address decades of social and spatial injustice.

If the Mayor chooses to follow the path of his colleagues in the Cape, then he proves to be an enemy of progress.

Issued by GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor, Sarah Mabotsa