Oudtshoorn, 02 March 2017 – The issue of people living in the streets is viewed seriously by the Municipality and has been a focus area of discussion between the municipality and the department for the past year.
Effective response to social issues requires not only the Municipality’s attention, but also the involvement of various stakeholders such as the Department of Social Development (DSD), community based organisations, business etc.
As an outcome of these discussions, Council has at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, 28 February 2017 approved the availing of the following three Municipal buildings to DSD to utilise for social services:
- Centre of Hope worth R 3.6 Million, for the Game Changer Dignity Project
- Malibongwe Building R 280 000, for the Shelter for the Homeless
- Old Dysselsdorp SAPS Building R 1.1 Million, for the Shelter Victims of Violence to the Department of Social Development for the usage control and management of social infrastructure.
The next step will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Municipality and the Provincial DSD. The department will bear the cost of the upgrading and maintenance of the facilities. They will also be required to provide a quarterly report to Council on the status of programmes that will be rolled out in these facilities.
DSD provides a wide range of social development services. Some of the services it renders are outsourced for intensive specialised intervention. These services are:
- Child Care & Protection
- Care and Support to Families
- Social Crime Prevention with Victim of Violence
- Community Development, Elderly people services
- Services for People Living with Disabilities and
- Substance Abuse
Shelter for the homeless people is at the moment a top priority. Policing in terms of Municipal By-Laws can only be effective when there are facilities available or alternative shelters.