Melville Resident’s Association, JMPD, Displaced Persons Unit (DPU) and Ward 87 Councillor Amanda Forsythe have a plan to address the significant number of vagrants in Melville.
However, for this plan to prevail, they need concerned residents who are keen to assist with the task. According to a letter sent by MRA chairperson Eric van Gils, the DPU was planning a workshop in Melville to guide and train the residents to make a difference for those people (vagrants) and the neighbourhood.
Residents who are able to assist can send their names and contact details including their cell phone number, email address and occupation to: together@ilovemelville.co.za.
Ward 87 Councillor Forsythe explained that the idea was based on an initiative she proposed at one of the monthly Ward Councillor Forum meetings with Region B City of Joburg officials at the end of last year.
“Instead of complaining and getting nowhere, I suggested that we pilot a new approach in my ward; that we gather the resources available in the ward, like non-governmental organisations, social workers, nurses, doctors and lawyers and make them available to the DPU and assist them to do their work,” she explained.
Currently, the meeting is being planned. The Councillor and MRA will inform the residents as soon as the planning is done.
“The idea of this initiative was to have a group of people, trained by the DPU and in direct contact with the DPU, help to identify, assess and assist displaced people in our ward,” she concluded.
Details: Ward 87 councillor Amanda Forsythe, 083 227 1797.
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