THREAT OF HOMELESSNESS
Residents challenge Joburg’s shelter rules
Residents of the Ekuthuleni Shelter have again approached Constitutional Court
More than five years after the Constitutional Court ordered that the residents of Ekuthuleni Shelter be provided with alternative accommodation by the City of Johannesburg, residents have again approached the court. This time, they are challenging the constitutionality of the conditions imposed on them in the alternative accommodation allocated to them. These include daytime lock-out rules, gender segregation and a lack of personal space. The city has imposed these rules since they moved in. The residents are locked out of their homes from 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays and between 9am and 5.30pm on weekends and are not allowed entry after 8pm. A man and a woman cannot sleep together in the same room, so small children have to spend the night with only one parent. Residents are not allowed to keep their own furniture or sizeable belongings in their rooms, but have to place them in the shelter’s storerooms. After their eviction from Saratoga Avenue, a nursing mother had to care for her ch...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.