GALLERY: Vagrants occupy Noreen Avenue in Bordeaux
BORDEAUX – Rats and piles of garbage are found along Noreen Avenue since vagrants started to occupy the area.
The plight of vagrants who occupy the pavement along Noreen Avenue in Bordeaux has escalated and now pose threats to residents.
The vagrants allegedly sleep there, burn tyres and flammable items. Piles of filthy garbage are seen along the street, clothes and blankets are put up on a close-by property’s fence.
Some of them sit next to trolleys and dustbins while a few taxis are parked in the same street. The situation gradually deteriorated over the past four years.
It has now become more severe and impacts negatively and directly on the residents; the value of properties is depreciating and the safety of residents compromised.
A horrible stench emanates from the area since there are no toilet facilities. Bordeaux North Community Forum (BNCF) chairperson Shanaaz Bailey explained that the City of Joburg should conduct regular joint operations to remedy the problem.
She explained that the urine smell and filthy garbage were also attracting rats. “We have asked them to move but they are not moving and they would not listen to us,” she explained.
Ward 102 Councillor David Potter explained the plight was brought to his attention late last year.
“I immediately raised it with the City of Johannesburg. To date, nothing has been done about the situation. It is deplorable and I am hugely disappointed with the City – especially Region B officials who are well aware of the concerns raised,” explained Councillor Potter.
He further explained that these activities are illegal and do not promote good use of council land and roads and hopefully, the City would urgently clean up the street.
City of Joburg Group communications and marketing specialist Nkosinathi Nkabinde assured that the JMPD bylaw unit and environmental health practitioners would investigate the plight and remedial actions would be taken accordingly.
“The City of Joburg is implementing dedicated programmes to assist displaced and homeless persons, in order to get them off the streets and reunite them with their families,” explained Nkabinde.
He further indicated that there is a fluctuating number of displaced persons living on the streets of Joburg.
“Our objective is to address their immediate needs in the most humane way possible but then to work with them in finding lasting solutions,” he concluded.
Details: Ward 102 Councillor David Potter, 082 885 9688; City of Joburg, 011 407 6477.
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