Castle of no hope for Cape Town’s homeless - After City officials seized tents, clothing, medication and other belongings during a so-called clean-up operation, the future of those living outside the castle is uncertain
Law enforcement officers confiscated tents and shelter-building materials, along with documents and personal items, during a “clean-up operation” on 25 May at the colonial fortress in Cape Town. Joslyn Thomas, 33, has been living outside the grounds of the Castle of Good Hope for about six months.
“It was harsh on her. It’s hectic to see because she struggles. Many of these people that stay outside, their parents or families are not very rich. But because they [the City and police] have everything they think it’s better to look down than to help. Some of us work for whatever we’ve got. The people are washing the taxis and cars in order to make money. Some people are going to dustbins for something to eat during the day. It’s a hectic situation and it doesn’t pay a lot.
But when the more than 10 people living near the Castle arrived at the collection point, they were left thoroughly disappointed. Not all the confiscated items were returned. Only one woman could identify her tent. “It was difficult because my son was coming to visit me, and I did not want him to be exposed or get involved in any gang activity,” Thomas says.
He also says that the City did not follow its own procedures at the collection site. “The whole system is broken. State houses on the periphery just entrench people’s poverty. Homelessness and the delivery of houses is complicated. You can’t criminalise someone’s position. There have to be multiple interventions in order to resolve this. You have to look at every single available option and do what has the most long-term results.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
LISTEN | Water-shedding from 10am to 4pm for Eastern Cape towns as crisis hits homeThe bleak reality of the drought has hit home in Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and the greater St Francis area and surrounds with water-shedding implemented from today.
Read more »
Major cities and towns in Eastern Cape have run out of waterAfter months of warnings, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality says it reached its ‘day zero’ on Monday (13 June) as the metropole is no longer able to extract water from the surrounding Impofu Dam.
Read more »
Lourensford fire under control - Cape Winelands District MunicipalityFirefighters stood down late on Sunday after rainfall aided firefighting efforts.
Read more »
Meet the Real Housewives of Cape Town | ChannelThe Real Housewives of Cape Town is an ensemble of influential and affluent women who are beloved, enigmatic and often misunderstood. Meet the 7 housewives here. | Channel24 RHOCT
Read more »
Cape Town entrepreneur uses social media to track down lost wallet ownerA tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.'
Read more »