UMBILO CPF is urging residents not to give to the homeless but rather to support local non-government organisations (NGOs) that support those in need.
This comes after the attack of a resident on Friday, by a well-known homeless man who has made his home by a tree at the intersection of Lynton and Bulwer Roads.
According to Heather Roos, chair of the Umbilo CPF, the woman was about to get into the car with her lift club to go to work, when she was charged and viciously attacked by the man.
“He was screaming at her for taking his identity, and she had no idea what he was on about.”
“If residents had not intervened after hearing her screams, it could have ended a lot worse than it did. The woman needed to be rushed to hospital for medical attention for deep gashes to her head. The man was apprehended by residents and then arrested by SAPS,” said Roos.
She said residents needed to abstain from giving the homeless food, clothing, blankets and money.
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“Alarmingly, more and more homeless are being encouraged to come into the community and to end up squatting in Glenwood, as there are people and businesses here that look after them and word gets out to them. What we are finding is that more and more of the whoonga addicts are now moving into our community. These men can tell convincing stories, yet on investigation it is found they have criminal records for either robbery, attempted murder, rape or attacks with a weapon,” she said.
She said residents were quick to complain about the crime and grime and that SAPS or Metro Police are not doing enough when residents and some businesses were creating this problem in the community.
“It is a nightmare to the CPF and SAPS and every day as the CPF we get complaints of vagrants in the area or complaints of certain residents or businesses feeding the homeless. We certainly are not saying to those who want to do good, should not help those in need, we saying rather do it responsibly and more safely, by donating meals, clothing, bedding and so on to the many registered NGOs that need the support and rely on donations to feed the needy from all over Durban,” she said.
Roos urged the community to rather support NGOs, including the Denis Hurley Centre, which helps the adult homeless (contact raymond@denishurleycentre.org) and iCare, which assists children on the street (contact 031 572 6870 or info@icare.co.za).
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