Vagrants turn intersection into their home
ROSEBANK- Vagrants loitering and sleeping on the pavements of Glenhove and Oxford roads are a major concern for the staff of McDonald’s and Engen.
Emmanuel Mchunu, a security guard at McDonald’s on Glenhove Road, alleges that the vagrants sleep on the pavements at night and sell goods at the traffic lights during the day.
McDonald’s store manager Nthabiseng Mpete said, “The vagrants are a nuisance. They come inside the restaurant and ask for money from our customers, and can sometimes become violent.”
Customers who bring the vagrants into McDonald’s and buy them food only aggravate the situation. “This gives the vagrants a misconception about being welcome here at the restaurant,” Mpete said.
The vagrants are also a nuisance to the staff of Engen which is adjacent to McDonald’s.
“One vagrant assaulted a petrol attendant with a broken glass bottle,” said site manager of Engen Rinus Loubser.
“We have installed a fence around our premises to act as a deterrent to the vagrants because they are increasing in population.”
According to Ward 73 councillor Marcelle Ravid, a “surprise operation” is underway which will involve the Metro police, Displaced Person’s Unit, Home Affairs and the Human Development Department.
