Bowling club overrun by vagrants

THE safety and security of members and property at the Durban Bowling Club in Morningside is being compromised by vagrants who threatened to burn the club house down when the club’s security tried to have them removed.

Chairman of the club, Peter Jackson said the vagrancy problem had now reached a point where it was out of control. He said the matter needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency as the future of the club was being jeopardised.

According to Jackson, vagrants have been an ongoing problem for many years.

He said they gather at the neighbouring park and then scale the boundary walls of the club which is situated at the intersection of Gladys Manzi Road, Florida Road and 1st Avenue.

“This park hosts numerous vagrants who prey on citizens who walk along or wait at the bus stop in 1st Avenue. We often hear ladies screaming because vagrants have stolen their handbags or parcels. At night there will be 40 to 50 vagrants sleeping on es on the veranda and pavilion of our premises. If it is raining, there will be more. They leave the place in a mess and use our gardens for their ablutions, urinating and defecating along the wall,” he said.

Jackson said when he and the club’s security tried to have them removed, they threatened to burn the club down.

“On occasion they have broken windows and doors just to be spiteful. There are others who break into the club and have stolen all exterior copper pipes and air conditioners, so that our insurance will no longer pay out for any exterior items,” he said.

ALSO READ: Residents urge city to deal with vagrancy

Last week, said Jackson, a 100m electrical extension cable was stolen when one of the club’s staff members went to the bathroom while he was cutting the green.

He said staff members also complained that their washing and other personal items were being stolen.

“One member of staff was in the shower and when he stepped out he discovered that his shoes had been stolen from outside the shower, ” he said.

Previously, the municipality suggested the Club take over the maintenance of the park, which they would have been happy to do if the city agreed to fence the park.

“Every day vagrants burn electrical wires to remove the plastic. The trees are damaged and the toxic smoke blows across our greens. Durban Bowling Club is situated on municipal property, and the city will not give us a new long lease, therefore we are not willing to spend money on new fencing. I tried to erect wiring across the top of the wall to prevent vagrants climbing over it, but it was broken and part of the metal was used to try break a window at the club. At present we are operating on a month to month lease. We have lost a number of members due to the unsafe environment which we can ill afford,” he said, adding it was vital something was done to sort the problem out.

In response to queries by Berea Mail, ward councillor Martin Meyer said the park bordering the club had been a challenge for quite some time.

“A few raids were done but these only have temporary effect. It seems for the long term we need to negotiate for the land to be fenced and then managed by the club as to ensure the safety of all involved. I will engage with the Parks Department to address this matter,” he said.

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