Businesses and residents are demanding action over alleged criminal activity and aggressive begging at one of Salt Rock’s busiest intersections.

Sasol Salt Rock branch manager Praveena Thulkanum says aggressive begging, theft and suspected criminal activity at major intersections are driving customers away and damaging the area’s reputation.
Thulkanum said the issue has persisted for years despite repeated appeals to authorities.

“We’ve been here for 14 years serving the community, but when it comes to the beggars on the road, we have no control,” she said.

Thulkanum alleged that individuals operating at the Salt Rock intersection have repeatedly entered the service station premises, stealing property and intimidating customers.
“We’ve opened several cases. They recently stole my flagpole, cut it up and sold it to a scrap yard,” she claimed.

According to Thulkanum, efforts to seek assistance from police, law enforcement and private security companies have brought little relief.

“We even hired our own security guard to stand here from 10am to 8pm, but he was threatened and eventually quit because he felt unsafe,” she said.

She said customers regularly complain about people knocking on vehicle windows and becoming aggressive when requests for money are refused. Thulkanum also alleged that drug dealing takes place at the intersection and claimed some individuals reject donated food, preferring to sell it.

Ward 22 councillor Privi Makhan acknowledged concerns raised by residents and businesses.
“Despite multiple efforts by KDM Community Safety, the usual crew are back in their trading spots, plying motorists with stolen plants and other wares,” she said.

Makhan argued that continued public donations were helping sustain what she described as an illicit “micro-economy.”

“I am appealing to residents to rather support organisations already doing work in the NPO and drug rehabilitation space,” she said.

She added that she would convene an urgent meeting between local businesses and KwaDukuza municipality to explore possible solutions.

Resident beggar Sydney Mthembu.

Salt Rock’s well-known one-legged beggar, Sydney Mthembu, rejected the allegations made against him and his peers, saying they were untrue.

“We are on a public road, and nobody has the right to abuse us,” said Mthembu.
He was with another beggar who shared the same sentiments.