UPDATE: Looking back at Alberts Farm operation
ALBERTS FARM – Continuous efforts are constantly happening to ensure by-law compliance in public spaces says ward councillor.
Social media was abuzz on the morning of 23 August after details of a mass operation to advise displaced people living in Alberts Farm to seek alternative shelter were shared.
Officials from the City of Johannesburg, Department of Social Development, Johannesburg Metro Police Department and Sophiatown Police Station were all present to carry out work specific to them during the operation, as reported in the Northcliff Melville Times article Homeless urged to vacate local parks [Week ending 30 August]. With a little bit over a month has passed since then, Ward 86 councillor Philip Kruger has shared some information of the day’s activities.
According to Kruger, the goal of the operation was to enforce by-laws and provide social assistance to people living in the park who might need it. When asked if the goal was achieved, the councillor said, “There is no ‘once-off solution’ to the massive issue of unemployment and homelessness we have in the city. Continuous efforts from all departments will be needed to improve the situation.”
Many of the displaced peoples living in such spaces’ main source of income are from recycling people’s refuse. Brodwin, a displaced man who did not provide his last name for safety reasons, was interviewed by the Northcliff Melville Times during the operation. He said he has been working as a recycler since May this year to try to provide for his family in the article Streets better than shelters [Week ending 30 August]. Brodwin stated, “I have three children and a wife. My wife doesn’t work so I need to do whatever I can to look after them.”
Recyclers can make anywhere between R150 a day to R1 500.
Officials were taking details of all displaced people they had found during the operation and advised them to use the City’s shelters as an alternative. Kruger confirmed but added, “Whether they take it up or not, is a different issue. Many people living in parks prefer not to move to shelters, as it is far away from the areas they serve as informal recyclers.”
Kruger added that continuous efforts are constantly happening to ensure by-law compliance. The relevant departments are always providing support for the issue. Kruger advised residents to report any by-law contraventions to Metro police.
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