Vagrants are being ‘well-fed and clothed’
Under the new by-laws vagrants can face a maximum fine of R40 000, however local councillor questions the implementation of nuisances by-laws.
JUST a week after they were removed from the Broadway precinct, the vagrants that have plagued motorists and residents in the area, have returned. Several vagrants who were removed from the La Lucia taxi rank, have also returned. This has prompted uMhlanga ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, to urge the city to re-look at their new nuisance by-laws.
The city recently adopted a ‘Nuisances and Behaviour in Public Places’ by-law that clamps down on vagrancy, with a maximum penalty of R40 000 for misdemeanors such as loitering and urinating in public.
However de Boer says the lack of enforcement and the fact that vagrants cannot pay that amount means they are back in the street within days of arrest.
“Vagrancy isn’t a crime, the reason we have such a massive problem is because residents of North Durban keep them well-fed and clothed. You cannot detain a person indefinitely, they are taken to the municipal court and ordered to pay R200 admission of guilt fee. Metro Police are meant to be the ones enforcing the law but they are in disarray, hence why the Durban North SAPS and other stakeholders held their own operation last week.
“But because they are indigent, they are released without paying. I can say that around 80 per cent of the vagrants in the area enjoy staying where they are because they are taken care of. If people stop giving them money, clothes and food, then they will leave. They cannot be dumped somewhere else as some residents have suggested,” he said.
