The nyaope boys in Daspoort have made it clear they would not be leaving the area anytime soon.
This after residents said their numerous calls for help to the police fell on deaf ears.
The nyaope boys had set up home in the bushes in the area, and homeowners blame them for the increase in crime.
Keshly Williams, who visited the nyaope boys with DA ward councillor Elma Nel, said he was concerned about the safety of his grandmother, who lived in Daspoort.
“I was gentle with them [the addicts], spoke nicely and told them that there was no life in drugs. I even offered to help but they said they only needed handouts,” said Nel.
Nel said she offered them job opportunities but they declined, and they showed no interest in working or relocating.
“They told me to bring them food and alcohol.”
“They refused to work. People (residents) are bringing them everything they need, they do not have to work for anything. They simply declined everyone’s offer of getting them out of the bushes.”
Wayne Helfrich, of the Health Organisation, said something needed to be done.
“We were told that handouts were what they wanted,” he said.
“They are holding residents hostage so they (residents) give them what they (addicts) need out of fear because they feel like they do not have a choice – either give them what they want or they rob you. The situation needs to be addressed for community’s sake.”
Resident Monica Makgato told Rekord last week the veld in which the addicts lived was opposite her home and this made her uncomfortable.
“I moved to Daspoort in 2011 and found these boys here. At that time, they were only a few and they did not bother me much,” she said.
“A year or two down the line, some equipment was stolen from my home. I went to ask them if they were involved and they said they were not.”
The Hercules police could not be reached for comment.
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