Belongings of the homeless are confiscated in Blairgowrie Park

City officials remove the belongings of homeless people living in Blairgowrie Park illegally.

October 10, 2023

Nicholas Zaal 1 minute read

Mbali Zwane removes clothing found in the park. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

Beer bottles, mattresses, old blankets and threadbare sheets, tents, clothing, pots, pans and all sorts of other household items one would not expect to find in a public place, were removed by City officials during a joint operation to encourage the relocation of homeless people from Blairgowrie Park.

Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman, urban inspector Nalini Ramsoonder, Pikitup supervisor Peter Mashau and head gardener of City Parks in region B Humphrey Hilmer. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

While those living in the park could not be forced to move, all of their valuables, save for their ID books, were confiscated on September 19. They were given the choice of accepting the shelter organised by the Department of Social Development, or remaining where they were.

This because they were illegally living and setting up dwellings in a public park, explained newly elected Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman and the urban inspector for the ward, Nalini Ramsoonder.

A homeless man has a moment to himself just before the clean-up begins. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

“I am always receiving complaints about noise, drinking and fighting in the park,” Harman said. “So they are drinking publicly, which is illegal, and there is pollution. There are no toilets here and it is not a good way to live.”

The pair was joined by officials and workers from JMPD, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management, the Department of Social Development and Pikitup.

Complaints have been made about noise, pollution, drinking and fighting in the park where homeless people had set up dwellings. Photo: Nicholas Zaal

The group removed these items and engaged in a large-scale clean-up of the park including removing all rubbish found. The items from an informal business were also removed.

“Only one patch on the side wasn’t seen behind Ekklesia Park,” Harman added. “They will need to return.”