Residents demand action on growing homelessness behind Silver Valke Rugby Club
Vagrants have been warned to vacate behind the rugby club as they pose safety and health risks.
Despite concerted efforts by the metro and social agencies, the issues of homelessness, vagrancy and illegal squatting remain a persistent concern, stretching within communities in the east of Pretoria.
Residents in the Silverton community have raised concerns over the influx of squatters behind Silver Valke Rugby Club on Roestoff Street and Falcons Drive.
Illegal activities are allegedly taking place at the site, while waste sorting and illegal dumping are causing ecological damage and structures are being erected by the people who camp behind the popular rugby clubhouse.
Residents have raised concerns about safety, security, sanitation and public health hazards in public spaces.
The metro confirmed that during an assessment a verbal notice was given to the vagrants to vacate the premises.
Marietjie van Deventer, who has been living in Silverton since 1974, said the back of the rugby club is now home to squatters, creating an unsafe space.
“This poses health hazards as there’s no proper sanitation.”
Van Deventer said an illegal dumping site has also been created.
“This also adds to the issue of crime and the squatters allegedly do drugs.”
She said it is a social crisis requiring the sustained commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the police, to implement effective solutions that address the complex roots of these problems.
Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the city understands the potential health and safety risks caused by illegal activities taking place behind the Silverlake Rugby Club.
“The city’s environment and agriculture management department will conduct a site visit to assess the extent of the environmental damage caused by the illegal activities taking place in the area,” he said.
Bokaba added that post the site visit and assessment, a joint clean-up programme will be conducted with the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) by-law enforcement unit.
He said social workers from the city’s community and social development department (CSD) have already conducted an inspection to assess the problem.
Accompanied by the TMPD, they gave the vagrants verbal notice to vacate the premises.
Bokaba added that the office of the Regional Head in Region 6 also consulted with a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
“This NGO deals with issues of homelessness [and] was approached to explore the possibility of providing meals and support to the homeless in the area and an option for a sustainable solution,” he concluded.
WATCH:
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
