Street homelessness policy provision and law enforcement in the City of Tshwane’s Central Business District

The effective implementation of street homelessness policy refers to coordinated efforts of law enforcement and social services to address homelessness while respecting the rights and dignity of homeless individuals within urban spaces. The study evaluates the street homelessness policy provision in the City of Tshwane’s Central Business District, focusing on the experiences of law enforcement officers and homeless individuals in policy implementation. A qualitative approach using a case study design was employed. Interviews were conducted with 23 law enforcement officers and 33 homeless people. Thematic analysis using Atlas.ti software was applied as the data analysis tool. The study found that law enforcement officers often lack awareness and adequate training and operate under stigmatising misconceptions about homelessness. Homeless individuals reported negative interactions with law enforcement officers, including harassment and confiscation of belongings, which are linked to the criminalisation of basic survival behaviours. This study contributes to ensuring a cordial relationship between law enforcement officers and homeless people. It also addresses a key empirical gap by unpacking the challenges faced by both groups in implementing homelessness-related legislation and providing valuable guidance for policy enhancement.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Pretoria

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mazenda, Adrino

• UCTD
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Street homelessness policy
• Central Business District
• Law enforcement
• City of Tshwane
• Policy development

Statement dc:rights

• © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30712832

Dc Identifier Other

A2026

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109327