Concerns over crime and homelessness at Homestead Dam
A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed she was stabbed in the area, suffering a fractured skull and spending days in hospital.
Homeless people living in and around Farrarmere, particularly at Homestead Dam, have raised concerns among residents.
Alleged criminal activities in the area have also left some feeling unsafe when visiting the once-tranquil park.
A Farrarmere resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he has lived in the area for eight years and believes the dam has deteriorated over time.
He attributes this to the growing presence of homeless people and drug dealers, saying it has changed the atmosphere of the park.
“I have never seen any criminal activity, but someone told me visitors have been attacked. We see a police van pass by occasionally, but there’s little visible presence,” he said.
Also Read: Toilets at Homestead Dam are very dirty
He said that to ensure his wife’s safety, he follows her in his car when she goes jogging in the mornings.
He also expressed concern about the declining duck population, claiming they are being killed.
Another resident, who has lived in the area for 40 years, said she feels uncomfortable seeing homeless people bathe and wash clothes in public view.
She further said that homeless people also make fires to keep warm.
Ignore rules
“When I moved here, it was quiet. Now, things have changed,” she said.
She is part of a volunteer group that carries out clean-up initiatives at the dam, which she says is necessary because the municipality does not maintain the park.
Volunteers often collect condoms, medicine bottles, beer bottles, and used needles, which pose a particular risk to children.
“There are signs clearly stating what is and is not allowed at Homestead Dam, but people ignore these.”
She added that criminals use the area to hide drugs in the weeds and trees, while the public toilets are vandalised, dirty, and covered in graffiti.
“The dam is no longer a safe place, especially for elderly people walking alone,” she said.
She added that she believes that the religious group that feeds homeless people weekly at the dam is attracting more vagrants to the area.
“What they are doing is good, but why don’t they feed them at their church instead of here?”
Two young joggers told the Benoni City Times they feel safe running in the mornings, but avoid the area in the evenings.
While they have not experienced crime themselves, they have seen homeless people wash clothes in the dam using detergent, which they believe harms ducks and fish.
They also claim some vagrants catch and sell fish to make money.
Stabbed
A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed she was stabbed in the area. She suffered a fractured skull and spent several days in hospital. Another victim declined to speak about her case.
Police respond
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Captain Nomsa Sekele said the residents’ reports do not match police crime statistics, which only reflect two cases of theft out of motor vehicles recorded at Homestead Dam in the past six months. She confirmed the arrest of a few undocumented foreign nationals.
Sekele said the local CPF and community sector managers patrol the dam and hold monthly meetings with residents, but attendance is low.
On homeless people living at the dam, Sekele said: “We cannot remove them as this falls under municipal bylaws, which is the responsibility of the EMPD.”
She urged visitors to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
The Benoni City Times also approached CMS for comment about what they are encountering daily regarding criminal activity in the area, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Also Read: Community gathers to clean Homestead Dam pathway
