DA calls on MEC Mosupyoe to urgently investigate theft of food for the homeless at Hillbrow homeless shelter

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has written to the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Morakane Mosupyoe requesting an urgent investigation into the allegations of food theft at the homeless shelter situated at number 3 Kotze Street, Hillbrow, Johannesburg.

The DA has been reliably informed that the staff members at this shelter are stealing food meant for homeless people who are housed at this shelter.

It is alleged that on a daily basis, a large amount of food is packed into the vehicles of two of the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) workers at the shelter and removed from the premises as soon as their shifts end.

The photos of the workers allegedly stealing food and loading it into their cars can be seen here  here, here and here

It is a disgrace that the workers are stealing from the poor homeless people who are dependent on this food to survive.

The beneficiaries are not receiving nutritious meals because of the alleged theft of the food by the workers at this shelter.

Furthermore, there are allegations that some of the homeless people housed at this shelter have also been victims of humiliating acts such as being forced to strip down for inspections by the workers without any explanation.

The female beneficiaries have also been victims of harassment and humiliating exercises during an alleged test of their alcohol levels.

It is also alleged that when the management of the shelter is confronted with complaints from the beneficiaries, the complainants are met with violent attacks from some kitchen workers who are also living at the shelter and assisting the staff with the loading of the food into their vehicles.

This shelter is one of the shelters selected by the Gauteng Department of Social Development to temporarily house homeless people during the national lockdown period as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This shelter is funded by the department and managed by SANCA which is in charge of the day-to-day management and the rendering of services which includes the feeding of all beneficiaries at the shelter.

Should it be found that the workers at this shelter are stealing from the poor homeless people they should face the consequences of their actions. The management of this shelter should be held accountable for their workers’ actions as well as the department for its lack of adequate monitoring of the services rendered by this shelter.

Stealing from the poor is a criminal offence hence the perpetrators should be dealt with accordingly.