Metro asks for help to deal with vagrancy in CBD parks
Central locals say vagrants in parks pose problems such as pollution, crime, and vandalism.
The Tshwane metro has called on residents and non-profit organisations to help deal with vagrancy in the parks in the CBD.
Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said as South Africa celebrated National Park Week (September 16 – 24), residents in the CBD had to contend with the disgraceful condition of most of local parks.
“The city has a by-law on public amenities. Our metro police (TMPD) are mandated to enforce this. The city erects signage in parks, which communicates the message that vagrancy is prohibited,” said Mashigo.
“Homeless people use parks as a safe space. The city continues to refer homeless people to shelters.”
The metro said it will partner with the Gauteng social development department and NGOs to roll out mobile showers and toilets in inner city parks for homeless people.
The metro said homelessness and drug-use in parks posed health and safety hazards.
“Community members complain of crime in areas close to parks. The homeless people are suspected to be involved in housebreaking. Due to the nuisance at parks, residents complain the value of their properties is being affected. Homeless people start fires in parks, which puts property at risk,” Mashigo said adding that pollution, loss of biodiversity, safety and vandalism had also been raised as concerns.
The metro called for by-law enforcement and community involvement in discouraging and reporting these issues to the municipality.
Rekord approached central residents for their thoughts.
Tshwane ANC secretary Fortune Mathabathe blamed the DA-led coalition for the problem.
“The ANC is not surprised by the current state of the CBD. The DA has proven beyond doubt it is incapable of running this city,” said Mathabathe.
Sunnyside CPF chairperson Sandile Dube admitted homelessness is a challenge for community policing.
“Most homeless people are found along Walker Spruit, from the eastern part of Sunnyside towards Nelson Mandela Drive, and from the southern part of Nelson Mandela Drive across streets interlinking it.
“Passersby get their phones stolen, cars broken into, and criminals run under the bridge.”
Dube said the CPF has noticed that criminals pretend to be vagrants sleeping in the park only to rob passersby.
The CPF’s concern is the low number of reported cases and urged residents to report crime to the police so more resources can be allocated to these areas.
Manager of Huckleberry’s at Magnolia Dell, Dylan Brewer, said vagrancy in parks poses challenges for the restaurant.
“We have a problem of homeless people coming to the park and setting up shelters. There aren’t any public bathrooms. The vagrants use the stream to wash their clothes. It impacts the residents who want to use the park. They don’t feel safe.”
Brewer said littering and open fires were also concerns.
TUT student journalist, Kgaugelo Selan said: “Vagrants in the parks in the CBD create a sense of unease among the local community, which discourages people from visiting the parks.”
Ward 81 councillor Mpho Lewele said the vagrants dismantle the original purpose of these open areas.
“Our parks are dirty, filthy, and a lot of vagrants are sleeping there. They open the drainage systems in the parks to store their belongings and during rain, our systems get blocked and we get burst pipes.”
Lewele said parks remain dark due to tampering with electrical systems, crime increases due to drug-use and metro infrastructure is vandalised.
“No one wants to invest where there’s a vagrant problem of this size. The city needs to ensure our streets are kept clean and residents remain safe.”
Ward 59 councillor Shaun Wilkinson said vagrants cause damage to city infrastructure. He expressed concerns about safety, sanitation for vagrants and the well-being of the homeless.
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