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By staff reporter 
8h ago
Cape Town – Residents have asked to take a position against the Strandfontein temporary shelter provided by Cape Town in response to the closure of Covid-19.
This comes from a letter written by volunteers from different community action networks who oppose temporary accommodation as a result of concerns about the living conditions of homeless people within the area. People are encouraged to sign the letter by noon Monday, April 13, 2020, as it will be sent to Mayor Dan Plato.
“The crisis we are facing exposes the depth of poverty and inequality in Cape Town most acutely. As regulations and closure begin to affect, too many people are hungry and do not have a home or access to opportunities to survive, “says the letter.
“The crisis calls us all to cultivate an ever-deepening sense of our shared humanity, act with overwhelming generosity, and ensure that the most vulnerable residents are not harmed. While the City must take steps to contain the virus, we hope that politicians and city officials lead with moral integrity and compassion.
“No matter the emergency, we cannot tolerate any state action that we know will break our society again.”
The letter states that the group opposes the Strandfontein relocation camp because:
- We have heard the concerns of homeless people who fear being detained and disconnected from relationships, programs, and professional support services that help them survive each day.
- We have heard from organizations that support homeless people how they requested comprehensive plans, but were excluded from assistance. When people’s freedom and agency are limited, we hope that the City of Cape Town will put in place appropriate measures to ensure that people are cared for. Instead, the emphasis on detention on dignity is causing predictable frustration and anger and a reliance on the police to manage the core functions of the relocation camp. The continuing threat of violence is clear.
- We have heard the concerns of public health doctors who cannot understand how the relocation camp keeps the homeless and the city safe from the spread of Covid-19. In fact, it makes homeless people more vulnerable to infection because basic precautions have not been taken. People crowd into tents and are forced to queue to buy food and toilets. There are no attempts to disinfect surfaces regularly or guarantee regular hand washing. While there is a screening test upon arrival, the conditions mean that an asymptomatic person could easily spread the infection once inside. Bringing together thousands of people who are likely to have acute medical needs, compromised immune systems, or who are living with HIV and TB can do more harm than good.
- We have heard the concerns of social workers who question what provision is being made to help people with mental health problems, or those who are abstinence due to substance and alcohol abuse. Forced and involuntary withdrawals can be fatal and must be handled with care.
- We have heard from women and survivors of gender violence about the extreme vulnerability of women, children, the disabled and LGBTQI + people. The Strandfontein relocation camp does not have the means to protect vulnerable people and provide shelter or an adequate response to rape, abuse and assault.
- We have heard the concerns of human rights lawyers and monitors about the way homeless people are being taken and detained within the camp and their fears that the situation is violating basic human rights.
- We have heard from neighbors who know how cold and wet this part of town can be in the winter and who know that things can only get worse.
The group shared the following position:
- The City of Cape Town must support alternatives, including opening smaller temporary shelters in buildings across the city. Volunteers in this city are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that any local initiative is safe, supported and integrated into community networks.
- The city of Cape Town must open public buildings and work with local NGOs, associations and religious communities that wish to open their doors and provide shelter. Meanwhile, public taps and toilets must be turned on for homeless people who are still on the street and do not have access to running water.
- If the City of Cape Town decides to continue, then the relocation camp must have the highest priority and funds to ensure that it prevents the spread of the virus, is safe, and respects the human rights and dignity of all people. No homeless person should be forced into the relocation camp against their will where alternatives exist.
- The city of Cape Town must grant unimpeded access to immediately accredited journalists and human rights monitors.
In a joint report compiled by Mario Oostendurp (chair) of the Strandfontein Residents and Taxpayers Association, Sandy Shuter (chair) of the Community Police Forum, Gerard Kemp (secretary) and Huey Jacobs (chair) of the facilities management committee Strandfontein Municipal, commonly known as the Sports Field FMC, gave a glimpse of their experience while visiting the Strandfontein site.
MESS
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