WESTVILLE police have urged residents to refrain from handing out money, food or any donations to people standing at intersections in the area.
Westville SAPS communications officer, Capt Elizabeth Squires said police have noticed an increase in people begging at traffic intersections, notably Westville/Church roads, Attercliffe/Kings roads and Roger Sishi/Methven roads.
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“While it may on the surface appear quite justifiably human to give to needy people, unfortunately the case exists in Westville where many of the ‘beggars’ you see every day have been involved in criminal activities,” said Squires.
She said while some of them have served sentences in prison, it has been noted they are back on the streets. “It needs to be understood that you are supporting these beggars who are merely whiling away their day, playing on your mercy while plotting their next crime,” said the station’s communications officer.
She added that these beggars have attacked walkers and joggers in the nature trails as well as on the public roads.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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