Protecting public open green spaces is vitally important
Albert's Farm is a paradise amongst the hard concrete of the city that needs to be maintained because of it's rich biodiversity and beauty.
The issue of the homeless and their use of public open spaces (POS) has been raised by concerned residents across the city.
The Ward 88 residents association, together with surrounding communities, note with ‘absolute concern’ the extent to which destitute persons have taken to establishing make-shift dwellings in public open spaces within Johannesburg – making their occupation illegal.
ALSO READ: Raids at Alberts Farm
ALSO READ: Removing the homeless from where they sleep is not a sustainable approach, or solution
They say the impact of such illegal occupation creates a dire situation overall:
- The situation cannot be condoned by the responsible authorities given the fundamental right of every person to enjoy equal protection and benefit of the law.
- Furthermore, due to the lack of infrastructure in public open spaces, illegal occupation creates a host of environmental issues ranging from sanitation concerns to air and land pollution of the physical environment.
- Finally, residents are concerned about their physical safety and security due to the increase in petty crimes and incidents of trespassing on surrounding properties.
Felicity Lawlor of Let’s Work, an NGO that works with the homeless in Northcliff and surrounds says, “People who have invested in their homes and businesses don’t want to live next to squatter camps and are concerned by recent trends. Some homeless we work with say that criminal elements penetrate the community by mixing with genuinely needy but good people so it’s difficult to manage. I don’t know what the solution is, it’s extremely complex.”
ALSO READ: Drop-in centre at Alberts Farm launched for the homeless
André Swanepoel, one of the leaders of a group who call themselves Community Cleaners, joins residents to clean up public open spaces from litter and other rubbish with a view to protecting these important parts of the city infrastructure. He says, “The homeless living in parks destroy, steal, and pollute everything. This is mainly from the trolley reclaimers who contribute zero to the environment.”
ALSO READ: The topic of the homeless in our city is a contentious issue
