Vagrants living in the bush alongside Kingsway between the R603 and the R102 and Gordon Road intersection opposite the taxi rank were removed by the municipal land clearance division for parks department staff to clean up the area.
“These people were identified as living in the overgrowth without any sanitation nor refuse facilities,” said ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge.
“All too often these ‘homeless’ people are found to have homes or family with whom they can reside, but they rather choose not to, as they would have to refrain from drinking or substance abuse when in a more ‘controlled’ environment.”
Clearing that stretch of bush started last year after reports were received of possible prostitution and substance abuse in the area across from the Winklespruit licensing department.
“This resulted in the parks department removing alien invader plants and clearing a section of bush along the bank next to Hypersure and along the R603, as well as the stretch between Hyundai and the R603 intersection, leading to what is today considered a park.
We arranged for the municipal structural department to rebuild and paint the dilapidated pedestrian bridge between Beach Road and Kingsway where a tourism information board was also installed by Sapphire Coast Toti Tourism with the approval of the eThekwini Transport Authority.”
The exercise aims to extend the park-like setting further towards the R102 and Gordon Road intersection, while overgrowth will also be cut back up to the railway fence perimeter along Auracaria Road.
“Sentra Hardware has committed to clearing the railway site on the corner of Camp and Gordon roads, while Auto Rust Control said they would clear along Subway Road.
Elcock Road residents have removed alien vegetation from the verges opposite their properties and closer to the railway line and replaced it with indigenous plants.
We hope local business and residents will contribute towards clearing the larger bush along Auracaria Road in an attempt to eradicate the drinking and alleged substance abuse and sales, while at the same time contributing to the clearing and beautification of Winklespruit,” said Cllr Beetge.
