Residents plan to #TakeBackWestville
Metro police advised residents to lodge a formal complaint with them so that the matter can be attended to.
THE worrying issue of homeless people squatting at the Westville Post Office, has surfaced once again.
According to residents, the area has not only become an eyesore, with litter and cardboard strewn in the vicinity of the post office, but they also feel intimidated.
Some residents said they have reached a point where they are scared to collect post.
ALSO READ: Vagrants take over Westville Post Office
Member of the Keep Westville Beautiful and resident, Liesel Muhl, said all they want is for residents to feel safe in their neighbourhood but the homeless people roaming around makes it difficult.
“As Keep Westville Beautiful, we are really concerned about these homeless people at the post office. They intimidate us when we are cleaning at the post office. They urinate and make a big mess,” she said.
Muhl said they were also concerned about the prevalance of drugs in the vicinity. “Unfortunately the post office is situated in between three schools where vulnerable children attend daily.
Residents have previously mentioned to the organisation that they have witnessed several drug dealing activity taking place in broad daylight.
“This situation is getting out of control,” she said.
To try and fight this, and clean up Westville streets, the organisation will launch a campaign called #TakeBackWestville.
“We would like to encourage residents to take action. Clean up around your home and business. Let’s start taking pride in Westville again,” urged Muhl.
ALSO READ: Post office responds to growing Westville complaints
She advised the public to send complaints to eservices@durban.gov.za and make sure they receive a reference number, adding residents can also visit Metro Police and write a formal complaint about the post office and other security issues.
“The more complaints, the quicker these issues get escalated. Together we can make Westville a beautiful suburb,” she said.
Ward 24 DA PR councillor, Sanelisiwe Chebure, said she was aware of the increase of homelessness in the Westville area which has become an issue citywide.
“This as an ongoing issue and police have been requested previously by the previous PR councillor to increase patrols in that area. If residents need to report any by-law contraventions, Metro Police enforce all bylaws and the reporting line is 080 361 0000,” she said.
The South Africa Post Office said they will investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, Westville SAPS communications officer, Captain Elizabeth Squires, did not provide comment by the time of going to print.
Metro Police communications officer, Parboo Sewpersad, said they have not received any formal complaints. He advised residents to lodge a complaint with them, so that the matter can be followed up.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
