This article was published on March 8 2016
The Linden Crime Prevention Forum (CPF) is tackling the issue of vagrants head on and invites residents to join them. CPF chairperson Lara Bath said that the City of Joburg no longer referred to vagrants as vagrants but rather as displaced people.
“Vagrancy is not a criminal offence, it is governed by the City’s bylaws. The city has displacement units responsible for vagrancy. It’s a social problem,” said Bath.
She pointed out that the South African Constitution was one of the most inclusive and best in the world and considered the term ‘right to freedom of movement’, which means that whether you own a home worth millions or a trolley full of plastic, you have the right to move through and be in open spaces.
“Most displaced people are not criminals, they are people without a home and try to make a living wherever they can. However, these are not ideal conditions and although an irritation to many, unless there is a crime committed JMPD and SAPS may not arrest homeless people,” Bath added.
She explained that in January the Linden CPF with the help of local resident’s associations and the SAPS sector commanders made a comprehensive list of the 44 parks and open-space areas in their precinct, where displaced people were sleeping and sent the list to the Ward Director, Head of JMPD and City Parks.
“We realize that a comprehensive plan is needed to contain the issue but until the City creates a plan for this, it is going to have to be firmly managed,” she added.
Bath indicated that the resources to do such operations on an ongoing basis were costly.
“A single operation involves JMPD, SAPS, Home Affairs, Pikitup, Department of Health and others. Resource and manpower requirements for one joint operation can be in excess of R80 000,” she noted.
She said however, if businesses and residents wanted to sponsor more regular operations this could be arranged.
Contact Details: Linden CPF, info@lindencpf.org
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