Apparently the man has been living there for about two months and leaves his possessions underneath a blanket during the day. At about 7pm each night he returns and beds down underneath the streetlight.
“No amount of reporting him to social development who in turn report him to the Displaced Persons Unit has resulted in finding this person a place of safety to stay in,” said Marcelle Ravid, councillor for Ward 73.
Residents have been sending Ravid complaints for weeks on end, which she has been forwarding to the city council without much being done about the situation.
“The machinations of the City of Johannesburg are so slow and cumbersome, and probably this type of problem is so overwhelming that it is very frustrating getting anything done,” she said.
Vigil James, a communication specialist for the City of Johannesburg gave this reporter an alternate take on the situation.
“Not all of these people are involved in crime, many make a living off the street,” she said.
“Therefore the [Metro police] cannot get involved until the case is referred to social services and a social worker has assessed the situation. You will often find that they will be taken away, then after a week or two they come back.”
James was tight-lipped when asked about Ravid’s claim that the Displaced Persons Unit would be in the area sometime this week in an effort to relocate the man.
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