Authorities concerned about vagrants at Bennie Jacobs Centre
The issue stems from vagrants frequently occupying the corner of Blackthorn Avenue and De Wiekus Road.
A closed meeting was held on July 3 at the Super Cops office with stakeholders seeking to address the vagrant issue at Bennie Jacobs Centre in Van Riebeeck Park.
The EXPRESS was granted permission to report on the meeting.
The issue stems from vagrants frequently occupying the corner of Blackthorn Avenue and De Wiekus Road.
Businesses and management at the centre have raised their frustrations and alleged that beggars pose a nuisance.
George Peli from a pharmacy at the centre said that customers complain that when they do not give the vagrants food or money they are then insulted.
“Once the customers complain, I chase the vagrants away. The moment I, however, turn my back, they have returned,” said Peli.
He said the centre employs security guards; however, the guards are allegedly threatened by vagrants.
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“Our security officers have been apparently warned they will be followed home and possibly be harmed if they do not allow the vagrants on the premises.
“Many times the customers buy them food, and these vagrants will then sell the food to workers at the garage. In another instance, a vagrant threw a donated loaf of bread into the dustbin,” Peli said.
According to Insp MP Masogo from EMPD, metro police has tried to address these concerns.
“The vagrants is a problem for us. We get complaints regarding certain vagrants at various spots in Kempton Park. We chase them away, but then they go somewhere else in Kempton Park,” said Masogo.
“It doesn’t matter what language EMPD officials use in attempts to deal with the vagrants directly, it has not proved to be resolving the problem. We are only moving the problem to a different location and not bringing an actual solution.”
Renee Erasmus from CPF Sector One urged residents and community members to report incidents involving vagrants.
“If the public experience a problem with vagrants at the centre they have to lodge a complaint or open a case at Norkem Park SAPS.
“If they don’t, the station commander of Norkem Park will not know this is a serious issue. Law enforcement have limited power without official complaints or cases being opened,” Erasmus said.
Ward 15 Clr Amanda Davison said: “The homeless of Kempton Park were registered and placed in shelters by the City of Ekurhuleni.
“They receive medical assistance, comfortable sleeping quarters and food. Therapists were available for drug addiction consultations for those who needed it.
“Some of the homeless, however, left the shelters as they receive money at the traffic lights. Sadly, for many, giving cash only feeds a drug addiction and not hunger.”
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In light of raising community awareness regarding this issue Sgt Barbara-Anne Ferreira, sector manager for Norkem Park SAPS, issued a statement saying: “Following concerns raised by the community about beggars and vagrants at Bennie Jacobs Centre, we appeal to the community not to give money.
“It was noted that these homeless in question use money for drugs or alcohol which has the potential to result in crime.
“Even when they are given food instead of cash, they sell the food to have money for drugs and alcohol,” Ferreira said.
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