PROSTITUTION across the city is an issue that needs to be dealt with and by-laws need to be amended to deal with the growing problem.
So said Morningside ward councillor Martin Meyer, after he was alerted to the behaviour of unruly prostitutes who ply their trade on Percy Osborn Road and have become a problem for residents in the area.
Charles Cane, whose elderly parents live in a property on Percy Osborn Road, reported that at around 5.30am on Saturday, 4 May, a woman, who appeared to be high on drugs, climbed onto a ledge outside his parents’ bedroom after pulling down a fence to gain access to the property.
“My parents had left for church when I heard a bang coming from their bedroom. When I went to find out what the noise was, I saw the woman on the ledge outside the window. She was screaming at people at the property next door. I shouted at her to get off the ledge, and she just pulled up her dress. I told her I was going to call the police and she then started kicking at the window. She smashed the window and even pulled one of the frames out,” he said.
Cane said he suspected the woman couldn’t get into the adjacent property.
He subsequently called the police who arrived 40 minutes later, by which time the woman had walked down the road.
However, acting on a photograph Cane had taken of the women, the police eventually caught her and took her to Cane to identify.
“I opened a case and have received a case number, but have heard nothing more,” he said.
Capt SM Maphumulo from Durban Central SAPS said the 28-year-old woman had made her first court appearance and would appear again later this month.
He said he could not comment further on the case as it was before the courts.
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But Cane says the activities at the property next door to his parents’ home, which is registered as a B&B, have become unbearable.
“We have to put up with the noise, the women fighting and calling for clients when people drive past. The bell goes off at all times of the day and night with people going into the property. The number of prostitutes in the road outside is ridiculous. They are up and down 24/7. The area has just gotten worse over the past three years. We find condoms, beer bottles, urine and faeces on the front step which we have to clean up,” he said, adding that his parents, who are in their 80s, had lived in their home for 35 years.
Responding to the complaint, Meyer said the city was aware of the property in question and confirmed it was zoned for a B&B.
“There seems to be a disagreement between departments regarding the property and the number of bathrooms to patrons, as well as the legality of the business. I want a hearing to be held on the zoning as the situation is totally unbearable. This is a law enforcement matter, and SAPS raid the property almost weekly. The new CPF is trying very hard to work on the issue of prostitution in the area and there has been some improvement, however more raids need to be held,” he said.
Meyer said prostitution was a worldwide issue.
He said the police needed to function on the law as it currently stands, that prostitution is illegal.
“There needs to be a city wide meeting with the municipality, SAPS and Metro Police to address what by-laws need to be changed to deal with this problem. I know this couple well, they are elderly and having to live like this is terrible,” he said.
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