“If people try to hurt these children, maybe it will give them reason to be more aggressive with motorists, leading to something more tragic.”
This is a concern of Ms Tanya Neves, a resident at Bedford Gardens, about a group of homeless children who stand with plastic bags begging for money at the intersection near Kirkby Road and Leceister Road.
“After three incidents with these children standing at the intersections, I thought it appropriate to inform residents of these little mischief makers,” said Ms Neves.
“When the first incident occurred, I actually spoke to one of the children. I told him if he wanted to earn some money, there was a garage looking for casual workers to wash cars. He ignored me and walked away,” she said.
“The second incident saw me give food to one of the children, only for the child to throw it away right in front of me. I was shocked, as these children had no shoes, were barely dressed and probably had not eaten in days. After that, I had decided I would no longer help them.”
In another incident, Ms Navas said a child asked her for money. When she declined, the child tried to grab the car keys from the ignition.
Ms Navas said she has reported these, and other, incidents to the police. Unfortunately, the children keep coming back.
According to the Bedfordview SAPS communications officer, Sergeant Mduduzi Nhlabathi, the children are a problem that community members have raised several concerns about.
“The challenge we have is that we are unable to totally alleviate the problem because when the children are arrested, they are taken to places of safety. Many simply return. These children return to these intersections because they do get what they want from residents,” said Sgt Nhlabathi.
“By giving them a hand-out on the street, you are enabling a lifestyle of dependency and that prevents us from having any meaningful intervention. Community members should refrain from giving the children food and money.
The spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, agreed with Sgt Nhlabathi.
“We continually chase beggars and homeless children from our intersections as it is against the Road Traffic Act for pedestrians to linger along, and within, intersections. We aware that space issues are a concern and law enforcers have to prioritise in terms of the gravity of crimes committed,” said Chief Supt Kgasago.
Mr Sam Mokgopha, a coordinator at the Outreach and Reunification and assistant director at Kids Haven, understands the conflict of the question, ‘does a hand-out help homeless children or does it add to the problem’.
According to Mr Mokgopha, “Much confusion surrounds the question of whether or not to give money to children begging on our streets. There are two options, giving or not giving. Giving means that most children living on the streets use the money they receive to buy thinners, glue or drugs.
“In the long-term, giving money is a death sentence whereby children learn to be street children and leave their families without the income they expect their children to bring home. Not giving also means that many families will lose their only income as most of the children on the streets are sent by their families to earn money.”
“Thankfully, there are other options available to help homeless children that will result in a positive change. One way of making a difference is simply talking to the child asking for money to find out why he or she is on the street. They will move on if they do not want to chat but genuine concern is something money cannot communicate,” said Mr Mogopha.
“If one does wish to give these children something, give them food. Or take the money you would have given and donate it to a programme or initiative that deals with street children,” he said.
@BedfordJourno
