Residents of Pretoria North have raised concerns about the condition of two public spaces where homeless people have been staying, prompting Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer to request assistance from the metro police.

TMPD officers went to Monument Poort Park, at the intersection of Emily Hobhouse Avenue and President Steyn Street, as well as the park on the corner of Burger Street and Brits Road.

According to the councillor, officers spoke to people staying at the two locations and asked them to pack up their belongings and leave.

The intervention comes amid concerns about the cleanliness and condition of the public spaces, with Meyer saying that while the plight of homeless people is understood, public areas must remain accessible to the wider community.

“I understand that these individuals are homeless and may not know where else to go. However, we also cannot allow public spaces to become excessively dirty and neglected,” said Meyer.

A Pretoria North resident, William Nel, said the condition of the affected areas has become a concern for community members.

“The number of homeless people is going up, and as community members, we must do better in addressing this issue.

“If one resident feeds a homeless person daily, that person will go and call his friends, and they will continue coming here regularly,” said Nel.

Another resident, Mark O’Neill, said authorities should find the balance between addressing the condition of public spaces and ensuring that homeless people are treated with dignity.

Meyer said he would continue working to ensure that public spaces remain clean, safe and accessible to residents.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo previously told Rekord that in similar cases of homeless people sleeping in public places, social workers are dispatched to conduct assessments through interviews to establish if the said people need shelters.

“If they do, social workers will arrange for relocation to shelters with which the metro has an affiliation.

“Unfortunately, most people do not prefer staying in shelters as there are rules which they are not in favour of. As a result, by-law enforcement by the TMPD will be activated,” he said.

Mashigo said that according to the 2005 by-laws on public amenities, no one is allowed to stay or sleep in public places after hours.

Infringement carries a fine of R10 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment.

“There are homeless shelters managed by [non-profit organisations] with which the city has a relationship. As and when someone is in need of a shelter, they get referred to such facilities.

“However, being referred to a shelter is voluntary and not forced or imposed on people.”

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