The City of Tshwane is stepping up its efforts to help homeless people in Pretoria amid fears of a possible serial killer on the loose.
Five homeless people have been murdered in the city in the past month.
MMC Sakkie du Plooy said in a statement on Thursday the city wanted to identify all the homeless people in the capital and protect them.
Du Plooy met with concerned homeless people on Wednesday to discuss possible housing to get them off the street and out of danger. The city has identified two possible properties.
Du Plooy said the city budgeted about R5m in the 2019/20 financial year to address homelessness by upgrading shelters and possibly building new shelters.
“We are making a plea to other government departments and the private sector to make a contribution to this vulnerable social group, the homeless, by providing jobs, accommodation and food,” Du Plooy said.