Witpoortjie vagrants removed

Shopping and business premises in Witpoortjie have become a haven for vagrants and illegal car guards as they flock to these generally well-lit spaces for the relative safety they provide.

Unfortunately, this has resulted in homeless people taking occupation at nearly every shopping centre, parking lot, and other open area, which contributes to crime and detracts from the public’s perception of safety at the various business centres.

Drug use and public drunkenness have become commonplace and it is not unusual to see alcohol-fuelled confrontations, passed-out or obviously impaired people on sidewalks, used needles littering public spaces, and even drug deals conducted in the open.

Also read: Vagrants, illegal car guards busted

In an effort to address growing concerns of business owners and residents in Witpoortjie, Roodepoort Police, JMPD, the West Suburbs Roodepoort Neighbourhood Watch (WSRNW), Sector Specialised Operations Patrollers (SSOP), and the Department of Social Development took to the streets on Thursday, March 13 on an extensive social development-led operation.

According to manager of the Department of Social Development’s Dan Street Men’s Shelter in Florida Karabo Manaka, these operations aim to remove vagrants from the streets where they often become a nuisance to residents and businesses, and instead of simply chasing them away, try to help them.

A large group of JMPD officers, Roodepoort police officers and patrollers gathered at JMPD’s operations centre in Roodepoort CBD on the rainy evening where they were briefed about the operation by JMPD officials and Manaka, before setting off on their pre-planned route in an impressive convoy. The convoy included a truck supplied by JMPD to load the belongings of the homeless people.

Also read: Illegal car guards arrested in Witpoortjie

The rain proved fortuitous, guaranteeing that homeless people would gather at known spots where they can find shelter.

Most of the 20 homeless people collected were found along General Pienaar Avenue, at Pick n Pay, and at Shoprite a few blocks away. Among them were two people who appeared to be severely mentally impaired.

The collected persons were taken to the Roodepoort Police station where their resident’s status and fingerprints were checked.

The two mentally impaired persons were taken by ambulance to Helen Joseph Hospital and the rest, after ensuring that they were legally in the country and not wanted for crimes, were taken to Dan Street Men’s Shelter, where they were given a nutritious meal and the opportunity to engage with social workers for possible inclusion in the Department of Social Development’s various rehabilitation, family reunification, and other programmes.