“We have the right to safety”
Newcastle Municipality Communications Unit insisted no evidence was found suggesting that the centre was not maintained or cleaned on a daily basis.
Despite numerous complaints to the municipality, some residents still don’t feel safe.
According to Joe van Niekerk, many residents including himself are also concerned about their safety in the area, as many people are allegedly harassed when visiting the shopping centre.
“People sometimes try to intimidate us, and even have tried to pick fights with us. We do not feel safe here anymore, and honestly I feel something needs to be done about this,” he concluded.
Mr van Niekerk is upset because people openly consume alcohol on the premises, and is worried about the violence that sometimes occurs there.
“I have gone to the complex more than once where I witnessed people fighting. It is not just small fights. I have seen them use glass to hurt each other. How this right? We as residents are forced to see these acts, because it is occurring right in front of us,”he complained.
Mr van Niekerk said broken glass was also still a problem, causing damage to peoples vehicles’ tyres.
“I have had to replace one of my cars before, because a big piece of glass damaged it. This sort of thing costs a lot of money, and I do not think it is fair that our possessions get damaged because people are allowed to drink and party on the property.”
Although the centre was cleaned in the mornings, it did not last long, he maintained that by the late afternoon the centre would be dirty and full of glass again.
“The centre also frequently stinks of human urine. It is disgusting!”
Newcastle Municipality Communications Unit insisted no evidence was found suggesting that the property was not maintained or cleaned on a daily basis.
“As previously stated and according to our knowledge, a designated cleaner has been appointed to clean and maintain this specific area (Shisa Nyama). In fact, on some occasions, the cleaner was working on site when the premises were visited. During a site inspection which occurred during business hours of the day, there was no overcrowding evident. However, as in any other place, where negative or inappropriate behaviour is identified or experienced it should be reported to the relevant authorities such as the SAPS,” they concluded.
