Vagrants on June Street in Randburg CBD have been sleeping on the pavement since last year – according to deputy head of Vuleka SSB High School Mike Hood. “We are worried about the number of people sleeping there. There are about 15 people who are sleeping on the ground. It is a concern not only for us as a school but also for them. We want them to have proper shelter,” said Hood.
He explained that their constant presence poses a health and safety risk for both the school and themselves as rats can be seen around the area where the vagrants are living in.
“I have approached the vagrants and asked them to please stop burning tyres, plastic and all those toxic things that they burn so close to the school. They got very angry and insulted me,” explained the caretaker of the school Herbert Chamusasura. He added that sometimes the vagrants will come and ask him for water in the middle of the night and he is forced to give it to them to protect his family. “I don’t know what they will do if I refuse so I just give them.”
Ward 102 councillor David Potter said he will bring the issue to the attention of the City of Johannesburg. He added, “Displaced persons are a concern across the City. The City makes little effort to provide shelter hence displaced persons find refuge close to their often temporary employment (as transport daily to and from their homes is often costly). The City via private organisations should start to provide sustainable shelter and job opportunities for displaced persons, thus at least giving them a chance.”
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