Loiterers threaten shop owners

POLOKWANE – After an article in the Polokwane Observer dated August 19 with the headline ‘Our customers fear coming here’, more residents have come forward to detail their experiences with the homeless people and job seekers on the corner of Webster and Johnson streets.

One of the business owners who opted not to be named, says she has been threatened by the loiterers following the article, as has other business owners. “These people are threatening to break into our shops because we are complaining about them and how them being here affects our business. It is really getting out of control and if something is not done soon people will start closing their shops and jobs will be lost.”

She says residents who donate goods from churches and other organisations are adding fuel to the fire by giving the homeless items such as bedding, food and clothes as it keeps them there.

“There have been recent attempts to break in and luckily for us the dogs alerted us of what was going on. When we checked the surroundings we realised that there were so many stolen goods that were hidden. These people damage properties as they make fires next to the walls every evening and it leaves the walls burnt. No responsibility is taken for this. When they do this, to them it might just be a little fire but they are contributing to the depreciation of property values in the area.”

She instead suggests that donations should be given at a different location where they will not be encouraged to stay in front of people’s shops. “I like that they are receiving help, but it should not come at the expense of someone’s business. It is also really sad to see how they sell the items donated to them immediately after the donors leave. They just recently got new yoga mats and blankets but these items have already been sold, including the canned goods given to them. Some of them are even selling the second hand clothes they have been given.”

She says that there are many open areas that could serve as a place for the homeless where businesses won’t be affected, but that there is no platform for residents to raise these issues.

A frequent client to the shops says she has been feeling very intimidated going to the shops and the only reason why she is still going there is because it would be unfair for people who contribute to the greater good, to blame them for the actions of people who only care about themselves.

“These people are aggressive, they demand that you pay them or give them money or food but they do not deserve it because all they do is sit around the corner. This is a residential area and as a result there will always be children walking to and from school but now children need to take longer routes to avoid these streets out of fear of these people.”