[GALLERY + VIDEOS]: Returning warmth to Alberton homeless
Helping the needy people in Alberton after their goods got confiscated by EMPD.
ON TUESDAY, July 3 a broadcast message was sent around by AfriForum regarding a blanket drive for the homeless people in Alberton with three drop-off points.
This follows allegations that the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) was confiscating and burning the homeless’ blankets about two weeks ago.
According to Jenni Bernard from Angels 4 Addicts, about 800 blankets were confiscated.
“They also took the homeless’ beds, pillows, clothes, one’s ID book and one’s Bible,” she said.
Chrissy Taylor, a reaction member from AfriForum Alberton, and Vaughn Taylor, patrol co-coordinator, said that someone on one of their community groups asked for assistance regarding a homeless man.
“We tried our best to help him and to find a shelter for him. I went to Amcare to ask if they can help him. Not only did they help him, but they also donated 30 blankets and beanies,” said Chrissy.
She accepted it on behalf of the Alberton AfriForum team.
Bitterly cold night
According to the weather forecast on AccuWeather, Tuesday was one of the coldest days this winter due to the sudden cold front. The highest temperature for the day was 13°C and the lowest -1°C.
At 9pm the AfriForum team went out to dispatch blankets and beanies to the homeless people of Alberton North. The RECORD was invited to go along.
The first stop was in Van Riebeeck Avenue in front of the police station where the homeless each received a blanket and a beanie. While searching for more homeless people, members came across a man who was without a shirt. He was so glad about his beanie and blanket and when he was asked on why he is not wearing a shirt, he told the team that he doesn’t have one. Machiel Pelser, also from AfriForum, took off his shirt and gave it to the man without thinking twice.
The team went street to street in Alberton North, to the McDonalds in Ring Road West and Clinton Road, and also to the Sun 1 Hotel in St Austell Street.
Chrissy also said that they have received multiple donations from the community as well as clothes from National Paramedical Services.
“What we have left we will donate to another charity, most probably Child Welfare but we will wait for a few more items. Our main goal is to assist the community, so if it can be done yearly we will do it but if a need arises in between we will do our best to assist,” she said.
Unspeakable wrongs
Jenni also told the RECORD that most of belongings of the homeless people in Alberton were taken. “I am filled with unspeakable rage. Having worked with the homeless in Alberton for the last 13 years, I have witnessed all kinds of unspeakable wrongs inflicted upon them by law enforcement, as well as sick individuals, which is one of the biggest threats to their well being. I have assisted a number of churches, businesses, schools and other organisations and more importantly the most recent in coordinating and facilitating outreaches amongst the homeless, whereby they have distributed blankets, toiletries, scarves, beanies, gloves, socks, pillows, jackets other bedding, kit bags, shoes and more.” “Hundreds of well-intentioned people within our community have spent money on these blankets and other goods, others have even spent time in making blankets and given up their time and taken the trouble to choose, purchase and go out and donate to ensure that the less fortunate are at least a bit warm while exposed to the freezing cold elements,” said Jenni.
The RECORD requested comment from Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago from EMPD, but he is currently on leave and no one is available to comment on his behalf.
He did however give comment to a national publication who published an article about EMPD burning blankets on July 1. In that article Kgasago was quoted to say that EMPD reacted to complaints from businesses and residents about the homeless people’s blankets being dirty and smelly, that no blankets were burnt. He was further quoted to say: “The ones that was still in a good condition was taken to one of their storage facilities in Heidelberg Road and that the blankets which where extremely dirty and smelly were dumped at the dumping site in Heidelberg Road.”
WATCH:
The RECORD will follow up with EMPD once Kgasaga is back from leave and keep our readers updated.
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