Residents protest against 400 bed homeless shelter

LOWER ILLOVU

- NADIA KHAN

RESIDENTS of Lower Illovo claim their pleas to the eThekwini Municipality to halt the building of a 400-bed homeless shelter in their community, had fallen deaf ears.

The residents said while they were not opposed to shelters being built for those in need, the community had not been consulted before it was approved.

They said they had raised various concerns with the city including safety, the high unemployment and poor infrastructure in the community.

Armed with placards, scores of residents took to the streets in protest against the building of the shelter on Saturday.

EThekwini Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni is expected to meet the affected communities today (Wednesday), to listen to their concerns and provide more details on the project.

“This shelter is unique because the homeless would receive rehabilitation, psychological services and development programmes that could lead them to reunite with their families. The focus is to take them out of homelessness. Also, the people we bring to the centre would be profiled,” said Myeni.

According to reports, the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter will be a 400-bed facility.