FOR months vagrants along Broadway (Swapo) Road have been terrorising local residents. What began with complaints of drinking and urinating in public has spiralled into harassment and fear of physical harm.

According to Andrew Wood of the Durban North-Umhlanga CPF, the vagrants, who pose as car guards, become aggressive when residents refuse to give them money or food.

“They are in your face and extremely intimidating. When people refuse to give them tips they threaten them with physical violence. I have also seen them fighting for territory, chasing each other with sticks,” he said.

There have also been reports that the vagrants have begun stealing vehicles’ hubcaps on the busy urban road. “Female restaurant staff have also been receiving unwanted sexual attention and advances from the ‘car guards’,” said Wood.

Even children walking home from school are not immune to the vagrants’ badgering.

Sasska Lee, an employee at one of the businesses in Broadway Road, said residents were so scared of the vagrants that they had cancelled a Sunday service at the Methodist Church.

Wood urged residents and local organisations not to give tips or food to the vagrants as it encouraged them to stay in the area. “We appreciate their hard times, but there are facilities that can provide them with adequate shelter and food. At the moment they have no incentive to leave and pose a danger to themselves and others. They are often highly intoxicated, and by midday can be seen passed out in the centre island or in front of businesses. One day one of them will stumble in front of a vehicle,” he said.

“At the moment the vagrants are also sleeping in the elements and could turn to opportunistic crime, ” said the CPF member.

When Northglen News approached some of the vagrants they said they were unable to find alternative employment. They denied the verbal assaults and said they are grateful for any money they receive. One of the vagrants said he had a family to care for.