Police raid vagrant settlements in Virginia, uMhlanga

DURBAN North SAPS raided and dismantled a number of vagrant settlements in Virginia Bush Nature Reserve as well as uMhlanga this morning. A number of vagrants were also removed from the uMhlanga taxi rank, where they had sought shelter after the heavy rains on Thursday night.

Members of the Durban North/Umhlanga CPF, local security companies and officers from the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife were also in attendance. Police also recovered clothes, blankets and other items believed to have been stolen in the operation.

Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, said there would be more raids in an effort to rid the area of vagrancy.

“The raid is part of an ongoing initiative to root out vagrants from the area. We cleared out a few settlements, including one found in the nature trail behind the Danville Sports Gronud. We also found a tent in the bushes around the hairpin bend on the M41 near uMhlanga. Several vagrants were rounded up at the uMhlanga taxi rank,” explained Deokaran.

“We have received complaints from residents in the area and though I cannot say all vagrants are criminals, we believe there is a criminal element using vagrancy in the area as a cloak. We have also seen a number of pedestrian deaths and accidents, especially on the M4, and it’s not safe for motorists or vagrants in the area. Vagrancy is not a crime but we are standing by residents who have raised legitimate concerns over their safety.”