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Watch: Cape Town's Safe Space One – secure shelter or ‘travesty of human rights’?

Residents of the city-funded Safe Space One shelter under the Culemborg Bridge on the Cape Town Foreshore claimed that poor and degrading living conditions at the site were affecting the health and wellbeing of those who stay there. These claims emerged against a backdrop of intense storms and winds, which battered the city during the past two weeks. The City of Cape Town has denied allegations of health and safety issues at the site.
Watch: Cape Town's Safe Space One – secure shelter or ‘travesty of human rights’?
Tamsin Metelerkamp
By Tamsin Metelerkamp
23 Jul 2024
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https://youtu.be/ppJ5g6YWr6Y

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Comments (6)

adamnarain Jul 25, 2024, 07:42 AM

Thank you for this. Please post more articles about the real state of care for poor people in the city.

Karl Sittlinger Jul 25, 2024, 08:08 AM

Sure, but could we look at other cities pls and not just CPT? Could we maybe do some comparisons? Could we be more specific on funding? Could we talk about the duties of the homeless and not just their rights? Can we report what the city is doing right? We need more clarity to solve this issues!

Grenville Wilson Jul 24, 2024, 12:41 PM

Yet again exceptionally poor journalism from DM! Can the journalists please provide factual evidence re the degrading conditions versus the low standard of hearsay reporting which has become the standard at DM!

ngj874@yahoo.co.uk Jul 24, 2024, 11:32 AM

I have lost respect for DM after watching that video. That was just terrible reporting. I love how you dont mention the fact that some of the homeless dont want to move because they are not allowed to drink and take drugs at these safe spaces.

louw.nic Jul 24, 2024, 12:04 PM

You are correct. There are repeated and ongoing outreach / support efforts in my area of Cape Town by CoCT social services, the residents association (and others). Most do not want to get off the streets, with some resorting to abusive language and behavior when offered assistance.

Michael Thomlinson Jul 24, 2024, 10:05 AM

What are other cities doing about the homeless? I know that here in P E nothing is done by the city - only private NGO's provide any sort of shelter. At least Cptn is trying to do something. So I think this is simply an attack on the DA lead city.

Sydney Kaye Jul 24, 2024, 07:01 AM

Those conditions in the shelter should be compared with the conditions sleeping on the streets, not with a hotel.

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Jul 23, 2024, 10:17 PM

This article is just irritating. The city is providing at least something, which is surely better than nothing, and I assume the homeless aren't forced to be there. At least explain what the city is doing wrong, what they should be doing, and how it should be funded.

ndodanahadebe@gmail.com Jul 24, 2024, 08:22 AM

Safe Space One is a Temporary Shelter. By replicating successful models like Safe Space Two and partnering with organizations such as MES, Uturn, Streetcape, Cape Provinces Foundation, we can create a sustainable system that supports the complex needs of this vulnerable population in homelessness.