Vagrancy fuels crime in Northside

We’ve all seen them begging on the corners, walking the streets collecting cans and plastic, selling trinkets on the side of the road, simply loitering at random spots, and lately even performing public service of sorts by directing traffic at busy intersections.

Vagrancy has become so common that we hardly notice it anymore. Yet, it contributes significantly to some serious problems in local areas across Northside. The Roodepoort Northsider has been investigating organised illegal activity in communities across the region, and time and again, vagrancy seems to be at the root of the problems.

While not all open areas are permanently occupied by vagrants, nearly every open area across the Northside bears some signs of occupancy, even if it is occasional. And if you know what to look for, the proof of criminal activity is everywhere.

According to BCI Security’s operations manager Lionell Gaffney, vagrants, including recycling trolley pushers, are mainly responsible for incidences of opportunistic petty theft. But as highly vulnerable people, they are also frequently used by criminal syndicates to act as spotters that sell information to other criminals – those responsible for housebreaking and even armed house and business robberies.

• Also read: Illegal recycling plants spreading throughout Northside

These syndicates wield a lot of power over vagrants since they seem to be fully in control of these ‘industries’ from which they make the bulk of their living. They also appear to tightly control most of the ‘camps’ situated in open areas where vagrants live, selling drugs and even facilitating prostitution in the camps.

Beagle Watch area manager Cobus Botes affirms this, and goes further, saying that many of the ‘businesses’ run by vagrants from open areas are likely fronts for illicit activity.

“People selling makeshift trellises and planters on the side of the road, or even little food stalls, frequently sell other goods – like drugs – on the side. There are suspicions that some of them even act as hubs for runners, or small-scale drug dealers, where they check in and stock up on their illegal wares.

“Sometimes it is quite blatant. When you see a small stall on the side of a quiet street with no real foot traffic, you can almost be sure there is something else going on.”

Both Botes and Gaffney agree that another important reason vagrants would choose to stay within particular areas is that they can find employment on a fairly regular basis.

“People employ local vagrants for menial tasks like garden work, or as day workers at some businesses. People also give money to beggars on the street. Noble as their intentions may be, it contributes to a bigger problem.”

Botes adds that even those directing traffic at busy intersections are often responsible for the traffic lights not working.

“We’ve caught them disabling traffic lights so they can direct traffic and earn some money. Once the peak traffic has passed, they’ll disappear, returning during the next peak traffic period.”

Both acknowledge that once vagrants move into an area, it is very difficult to get them out. They echo the sentiments of other local security companies and community organisations, saying that getting local authorities like JMPD, Home Affairs, police, City Parks and other role players on board to carry out operations to remove vagrants from areas that they have illegally occupied is a nearly impossible task.

“There does not seem to be much will from authorities to address this problem,” said Botes. “And getting all the necessary people together at the same time is a big challenge.”

• Also read: Illegal recycling plants exposed in Weltevreden Park

The Northsider undertook a short tour of some open areas frequented by vagrants on February 1. Accompanied by Panorama Resident’s Association chairperson Dave Baxter, the Northside journalist witnessed some positive developments, as well as some shocking and eye-opening sights.

The previously reported site along the N1 North near 14th Avenue is finally being attended to – at least in part. The landowners have engaged in clearing the land, blocking off access to it, and are reportedly planning to fence it off. Although there is only a small portion of the problematic site, it includes the main access point to the large illegal recycling plant and vagrant camp, making it more difficult for trolley pushers to gain access.

Just a few blocks away though, in a small, seemingly empty veld just off a busy road and right in the middle of a residential area, signs of sinister dealings abound. The veld situated between two rows of houses was allegedly reserved by the powers that be for a future road. Right on the corner sits a main water supply line for the area. It was dug up years ago for repairs, but never closed and secured again. A hosepipe connected to the main water supply pipe provides fresh water for vagrants and a dodgy roadside food cart. According to Baxter, the spot is also frequented by e-hailing cab drivers, who wash their cars using the illegal water connection.

Not five metres into the small veld, the first signs of illegal occupation are plain to see. Hidden under some brush next to an old concrete pipe that someone calls home from time to time, Baxter and Beagle Watch’s crime specialist Jacques Morton unearths the first evidence of cable theft. Thick lengths of insulated cable, well hidden from sight. The cable turned out to be fibre cables, likely mistakenly dug out by criminals hoping that it contained copper. A few steps away, what seems to be part of a broken and partly disassembled traffic light.

• Also read: Cable theft epidemic in Northside

Among the rubbish that litter the veld, evidence of likely crime is everywhere. Items that one would not imagine would end up in a veld, like old VHS tapes, broken electronic alarm clocks, and much more.

Upon closer inspection, the veld houses several well-hidden shacks, one complete with a yard and an impressive herb and vegetable garden.

According to Baxter, the problem with vagrants reaches far beyond criminal activity.
“It contributes to pollution in our local streams and rivers, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the devaluation of properties. The vagrants will disassemble and steal anything that can be sold for money. From street and traffic signs to solar lights. Everything is fair game. All we as a community can do is try to keep up with the replacement of the items that are stolen and, at great cost, install necessary security measures.

“Without the buy-in from the relevant local authorities to properly address this issue, lawlessness will continue to be a major problem in our local communities.”

Watch this space for more as this story develops.