The municipal police in the city of Durban are violating the law by using violence against homeless people for sleeping on the streets, which, according to municipal spokesperson Tabani Nyawose, is not a violation. He stated that urgent measures will be taken to solve this problem.
Nyawose responded to reports from homeless individuals who informed political parties during a meeting at Denis Hurley's center in the Durban business district about daily attacks by local police.
These individuals presented their views to the ANC, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), DA, and EFF parties to determine what steps new council members should take to address their daily problems. The four parties participating in the local elections visited the event to hear what vulnerable groups want from them in the new municipal administration.
The main needs of the homeless include affordable shelters, employment opportunities, medical care, and 24-hour sanitation facilities. However, discussions showed that police intimidation is one of the main problems they face.
The homeless complained that when they sleep on sidewalks or beaches due to unemployment, city police officers allegedly violently woke them up, beat them, and confiscated their belongings, including clothing, identification, educational documents, and medication for chronic diseases, before throwing them somewhere where they could not be found.