Homelessness: How to show you care
Concerning and frightening behaviour from a vagrant in Durban North has once again sparked an appeal for the public not to support vagrants with food or money.
VAGRANCY has always been a major social issue across the city as well as the country.
However, dozens of Durban North residents turned to the Durban North Neighbour’s Facebook page last week, appealing to the community to refrain from handing out money and food to the homeless.
Their request, they said, was motivated by one of these men often spotted at the corner of Old Mill Way and Kenneth Kaunda Road (Northway), whose recent behaviour has not only endangered himself but motorists as well.
According to the posts, the man has been seen bouncing tennis balls in the roadway, sticking his foot in front of moving vehicles and has at times also allegedly kicked cars at the intersection.
In light of the post, the Northglen News caught up with the dedicated and passionate team at the I Care initiative in Somerset Park to learn more about this misunderstood social problem.
For years the non-profit organisation, which offers a holistic awareness, outreach and rehabilitation programme for street children, has been promoting the same plea.
Instead, the organisation urged the public to rather direct homeless individuals to shelters and organisations that could provide long-term assistance, or to offer donations to such organisations so that they could continue with their efforts.
Anne Slatter, the general manager of I Care, said while it is human nature to reach out to those in need, giving food or money is never beneficial.
“In actual fact, it enables and prolongs their stay on the streets, a life often riddled with substance abuse, violence and crime,” she said.
“Giving them money only fuels their addiction and giving them food also saves them money to spend on their habit. If we are to get them off the streets, we need to address the source, not the symptoms,” she added.
I Care currently has 60 street children in its care, who, in most cases, said Slatter, without intervention would live out their entire lives on the street. Street life, said Slatter, primarily stems from abuse and unemployment. “Through education and rehab programmes we hope to give them back their lives,” she said.
Report to Metro
Ward councillor Shaun Ryley confirmed that he had received complaints regarding the man on Old Mill Way.
He not only urged residents to stop supporting vagrants in the area but also called on them to report such individuals at intersections to Metro Police so that they can be removed.
“Begging as well as obstructing, blocking or disturbing traffic or pedestrians falls under the newly gazetted nuisance bylaws, which should be enforced by Metro officials,” he said.
People who have been threatened, attacked or suffered damage to their property should also open a case at the SAPS, he said.
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