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Homeless people in the once idyllic Jimmy Aves Park in Garsfontein between Rooigras and Keeshond streets have denied allegations they engage in criminal activity and damage local ecology.
In fact, they expressed a desire to relocate if given the chance, and refuted the negative perceptions attached to their presence in the park.
Despite squatting in the park, the homeless maintain they pose no threat to the neighbourhood as alleged by local ratepayers, and express a deep longing for a future that offers them a break from this harsh scrutiny.
Should the chance to relocate and rebuild their lives elsewhere present itself, many of them would seize the opportunity with open arms.
The park has deteriorated drastically to the point it is allegedly harbouring criminal activity and massive littering.
Its current condition has angered local ratepayers, who blame the Tshwane metro for failing to maintain the high standards of safety and cleanliness resulting in a well-regulated public area for the community to enjoy.
The park was described as once beautiful with a stream, tennis court, pedestrian as well as dog walkways.
In a bid to it park back to its former glory, residents of Garsfontein and surrounds petitioned the metro to urgently remove the homeless, enforce by-laws and ensure its operating hours are adhered to.
Over 680 residents signed the petition in September 2023.
However, this seemed to have fallen on deaf ears as vagrants started moving in in large numbers, turning the park into a field riddled with open fires and homeless people bathing in the stream.
Rekord spoke to a squatter who disputed she is a criminal but instead a mother seeking employment prospects.
Thandiwe Mtshali, who has been living in the park for over a year now and hails from Mpumalanga said she is eager to escape the harsh glare of judgement that has clouded their lives for so long for living in the park.
Mtshali said they have nowhere else to go and that no one has come to their assistance.
“We are not criminals, we just seek shelter and jobs. I chose to live here because I can’t afford proper accommodation… it’s closer to piece jobs.”
Mtshali strongly refutes allegations that she and her fellow dwellers engage in criminal activity.
She told Rekord the only ‘crime’ she has committed is being poor and doing everything in her power to provide for her family back home.
She emphasised if she had another option, she would not choose to sleep outdoors, and prays to God every day for protection.
She asserts the other squatters in the park are also hard-working individuals, stating if they were criminals, the women living in the park would have been subjected to violence or even sexual assault, and their possessions stolen, but instead they are protected by the men in the park.
Mtshali said all they seek are jobs.
“I can clean, cook, work in the kitchen, or anything else as long as it can pay for my bills or my accommodation, I don’t live here because I love it or it’s nice, it’s just circumstances that forced me.”
She said the residents in the neighbouring suburbs blame them for every criminal activity in the area.
“We do not steal from residents, as they sometimes give us garden or cleaning work, so why would we mess up where we get our bread?” she asked.
She claimed that criminals would come steal, then run to hide in the park then “we get blamed for that.
“We see them pass here running carrying appliances around 02:00 sometimes 03:00 and we cannot stop them because we also fear for our safety. The patrol teams have been here at night to search us but they find nothing.”
Jerimiah van Wyk, who lives at Jimmy Aves Park, pleads with the public not to unfairly judge the inhabitants of the park.
He argues that no one would choose to live in a park if they had a better option, and that these individuals are there because life has been difficult for them.
WoodGlen Complex resident Abulelo Mthembu said it hurt to see the park being turned into a home but he also felt sorry for the dwellers.
“I know it is illegal for them to live, or make fire, cook or wash in the park, but I believe that if they had a place elsewhere, they would have left.”
Mthembu said he hadn’t had a break-in in a while.
“The people should go but where would they go? Social development [department] should be involved and explore other means to help them, it’s sad to see humans in such harsh conditions.”
Ward councillor, Elizabeth Basson, said Jimmy Aves Park is a public park that has been hijacked by vagrants.
“Vagrants put up structures at night to sleep, like tents. They use the watercourse for toilets, bathing and washing of their clothes. They make fires to cook and to stay warm in an area not regulated for open fires.”
Basson said the department came and offered them alternative accommodation, especially the elders, but some turned the offer down.
She said a stakeholder meeting on Sunday August 11 discussed how to help the squatters.
“We will ensure by-laws are adhered to, and also get the department involved in helping the people.”
Rekord is still awaiting departmental comment.
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