Role-players partner to tackle growing concerns

THE brazen use of drugs at the taxi rank on Old Main Road in Hillcrest, littering and the issue of homelessness has seen local departments, organisations and businesses call on residents to support an initiative that aims to tackle these growing concerns.

The DA PR ward councillor, Remona Mckenzie met with DSW officials regarding the growing litter concerns and noted the body’s staff faced numerous issues at the taxi rank.

“Many of the homeless are found shooting needles up their arm in full view of public, which needs to be seriously addressed. I am told that there is a box where these needles should be disposed, but this is not done. This, for staff, is a hazard as they have to pick up the needles, which is a danger,” said Mckenzie.

She noted that when DSW staff tried to collect and dispose of card board boxes at the site, they would be met with aggression.

“Bins that are up right are used as ablution facilities and (DSW staff) are expected to clean this. Other bins are turned on their side by the homeless, which is used as shelter,” she said.

Marge Mitchell, from the Keep Hillcrest Beautiful Association (KHBA), said a non-profit organisation, the Phuma Okhaneni Garden Project, was launched more than 10 years ago to help empower the beggars in Hillcrest.

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“We were told back then that many of them were taking drugs. What is sad is that many people offered them jobs for R200 a day, but they (the beggars) told us they could make up to R500 a day by begging at robots,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell said the brazen use of drugs in Hillcrest has only escalated.

“People are mainlining in the taxi rank and along Old Main Road. Drug use in the area is completely out of control!”

The KHBA is a small organisation in Hillcrest with a mandate to beautify and clean up the area.

“We clean up the verges on the outside of the taxi rank. Our team wont enter that place as it is dangerous and I have to look after my staff from that point of view,” she said.

A Hillcrest resident, Melody Olivier, said she witnessed a man, believed to be in his late 30s, purchase a syringe from the taxi rank and inject himself in front of her 11-year-old daughter.

“Hillcrest’s taxi rank is a den of drug dealers and it is getting worse. It is no longer the street beggars who are frequenting it – it is youngsters and educated adults alike,” said a concerned Olivier.

The Stormwood Property manager, Louise Lilford, said that while they remained aware of the overwhelming social challenges presented by homelessness, poverty and drug use, that, as a business, found it increasingly challenging to control the sudden influx of homeless persons and drug users in the area.

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Lilford said customers and staff were harassed on a daily basis for food and money and were forced to take matters into their own hands to help curb the situation. Three businesses were approached and a night time guard and security was hired. Bushes and shrubs that were identified as potential hiding places were also cut down.

“We don’t see the ‘cleaning up’ as the end of the process and realise a longer lasting and sustainable solution must be found. So, we would love to see all businesses coming on board and trying to assist in rehabilitating and getting these desperate people, often young children, off the streets and empowering them to try and have a better life,” she said.

The communications officer for Hillcrest SAPS, captain Linzi Smith, urged residents to report drug crimes to 08600 1011 or to surrender information at the Hillcrest Police Station. All information provided will remain confidential.      

 

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