EMPD removes homeless man ‘causing nuisance’ from Dann Road
“There are other squatters along Monument Road who do the same thing. I’m not the only one who is concerned about this.”
Officers from the EMPD have once again removed a homeless man from Dann Road after he was accused of becoming a nuisance to neighbouring residents.
According to resident John Streicher, the EMPD had been made aware that the man was burning refuse along Dann Road on several occasions.
Streicher added that the EMPD regularly removed the man from the area, but he kept returning.
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He feels that the EMPD was not doing enough about this situation.
“I have an issue with the fact that someone is able and capable of just squatting next to a major road, which is also one of the major entrances to Kempton Park.
“He has been squatting next to Dann Road for several months now,” said Streicher.
He added that when the man disappears, it’s only for a couple of days before he’s back again.
“The EMPD does pick him up, but he’s very persistent, so he keeps returning.
“I noticed a fire when I was passing by and then I stopped because I could smell it was plastic that was burning.
“For him to collect rubbish around Kempton Park, disassemble it and then burn it is unacceptable, especially with plastic, which is a poisonous gas and stinks up the area.
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“When I asked the man about the mess he told me it was compost.”
Streicher said the man also told him that he used to stay in Glen Marikana.
“There are other squatters along Monument Road who do the same thing. Why is the metro not doing anything about this? I’m not the only one who is concerned about this.”
EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Motlhomedi said they have been attending to the complaints continuously.
“Officers remove the man but he returns. We conduct regular patrols in the area to monitor the situation because this is an ongoing concern,” she said.
Motlhomedi added that the EMPD could not charge the man so officers allow him to take his personal belongings and any items deemed to be dangerous were confiscated.
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“An influx of homeless people is a huge challenge which affects municipality by-laws.
“However, it is also the prerogative of the social development department to place the homeless in shelters.”
She advised residents to refrain from approaching the man on Dann Road but to rather contact the SAPS or EMPD if he returns to the area.
