Pretoria West residents are at their wits’ end after a group of informal settlers moved in across the road.
Vagrants started living in the veld in Malie Street about eight months ago, said resident Madelein Coetzee.
“In the past, we never had a problem. There were people there on occasion, but they never stayed,” she said.
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“In the beginning, it was only a Thursday morning ritual when the area’s dustbins were taken out.”
What made matters worse, was that the new vagrants were not only a health concern but also threatened the safety of residents, alleged Coetzee.
“My home was broken into three times in one day back in February,” she said.
“My daughter suffers from anxiety because we have suffered two smash and grabs.”
Her home was like a safe haven, but all that has now changed, she said.
Coetzee said residents suspected the vagrants were trading drugs as well.
Resident Gerda Visagie said the veld was also a concern for her and her family.
“Malie Street has always been one of peace until about eight months ago,” she said.
“Now they are sleeping, bathing and using the veld as a public toilet, causing a health concern.
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“Sometimes we cannot open our windows or doors as a result of the smell coming from the field,” she said.
“It is terrible.”
Resident Johan Kruger said about 10 vagrants were in the veld daily.
“It does not even help to chase them away, because they either come back or they make use of another place to sleep,” he said.
He said he has resorted to cutting the grass on the piece of the veld opposite his home.
“It looks a bit neater and some of my neighbours have followed my example. But the rest of the street is still overgrown,” said Kruger.
“I’m not saying that all the vagrants are criminals, but the tall grass becomes a hideaway den for the criminals, who hide among them.”
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Kruger said he has reported the issue to the Tshwane metro.
He said there were many similar fields in the area that experienced the same issue.
The Tshwane metro said there was a “challenge” over overgrown grass and trees in Pretoria.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said this was as a result of continuous rain in the recent past.
“However, residents are equally encouraged to report such issues to our customer care if they experience abnormal growth or security risks in their areas,” he said.
Mashigo said for matters relating to vagrants, residents were encouraged to contact the Tshwane metro police department.
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