The increase in homeless individuals along Church Lane and Church Street in the Kariega CBD has posed challenges for the community, particularly affecting the NG Kerk church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reverend Llewellyn Olivier, who has been proactive in addressing this issue, collaborated with Ward 51 Councillor Roelf Basson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basson had been actively working on this challenge, and Olivier’s swift action provided valuable assistance. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Together, they’ve engaged with security companies, SAPS Kariega, and the Mould Empower Serve (MES) in Gqeberha to find solutions. However, the church continues to face infrastructural problems, including cable theft and break-ins.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Basson, the whole process started with two particular spots in Kariega CBD being occupied the most; namely, the building next to Victoria Tower in Church Street and in front of the police station on the same street, with about 10 to 15 people sleeping on the sidewalk. Another prominent hotspot is behind SARS and Standard Bank, where they have occupied an open block in Daly Street, Kariega.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basson added, “In our process of removing them, we were told by a social worker that we need to reintegrate these people rather than simply moving them.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Olivier said, “The damage caused to the church includes the loss of electrical cables on the premises, which led to the security gates ceasing to function. This puts our tenants at risk, prompting us to escalate the issue.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further explained that this is a systemic problem and that he would need external assistance. “Calling SAPS to remove the homeless doesn’t help because shortly after being removed, they relocate and eventually return. Moreover, SAPS informed us that they do not have a real mandate to solve this issue.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Olivier reached out to Ward Councillor Roelf Basson, who mentioned having a contact at MES. They expressed willingness to open a branch in Kariega if they could secure a property to conduct their work. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Partnering with an existing NPO is the best option for addressing this issue because they are already known for their work in helping the less fortunate. We spoke to them, and they conducted a survey on this issue. We now seek support from the community to launch this initiative so that MES can establish a centre for homeless people in Kariega,” Olivier added.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ronnie Naude, the Branch Manager of MES Gqeberha, shared that before joining MES, he started his own programme to get people off drugs and off the streets until he was approached to join MES.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added, “There are many reasons people end up on the street that we may not be aware of. For most people, they tend to look at the homeless and think that they just need to get a job and they will be okay. However, in doing that, we just show how self-centred we are and do not consider why they are homeless in the first place. There could be an external factor at home that we are not aware of, such as coming from an abusive household. Also, simply feeding them does not help, but rather worsens the situation.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Ilse Maartens, MES Branch Manager of Cape Town, they conducted a study on the structured four-phase rehabilitation and reintegration approach designed to assist individuals in transitioning from crisis to independence. It begins with Outreach and Relief, where individuals receive basic needs such as food, hygiene, temporary shelter, and assistance with identification documents. Phase two is Change Readiness, where they enter a drop-in centre that provides counselling, life-skills development, and referrals. Those needing rehabilitation receive mental health and substance abuse treatment with continued social support. Phase three is Work Readiness, which includes six to eight months for basic skills and job preparation. Phase four is Integration, which helps individuals transition to independent living through Grow Exit.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya, said, “The NMBM acknowledges the growing number of homeless individuals in Church Lane and other parts of Kariega CBD and the entire Metro. This is a complex social issue that requires a multi-faceted approach from all stakeholders, and while the municipality is committed to addressing the concerns of residents, we face challenges in enforcing bylaws due to limited resources.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the municipality is fully aware of the increasing presence of vagrants in the area and that their teams conduct regular monitoring and engage with affected communities to assess the situation.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Municipal officials regularly conduct bylaw compliance blitz operations in affected areas to remove vagrants and address related issues such as illegal structures and public disturbances. However, these efforts are often hindered by legal constraints and the cyclical nature of homelessness, where individuals return to the same areas after being moved.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soyaya added that the municipality collaborates with social development agencies, NGOs, and shelters to provide support services, including access to temporary accommodation, skills development, and social assistance. However, owing to limited funding and capacity, these interventions remain challenging to sustain at the scale required.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“While visible progress is a priority, resolving vagrancy is not an overnight process. Sustainable solutions require coordinated efforts between law enforcement, social services, and community stakeholders. The municipality is actively exploring ways to strengthen its outreach programmes and improve bylaw enforcement while working with provincial and national government partners to address the root causes of homelessness,” said Soyaya.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The metro urges its residents to report concerns through official channels and to support structured interventions rather than informal displacement, which often leads to vagrants returning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The rise in homelessness in Kariega CBD impacts the community and local church. 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