A resident of Illovo is at her wits’ end with vagrants who loiter and litter on the corner of Oxford Road and North Street.
Claudia Phantsi said the problem has been going on for a while now and the behaviour is getting worse. “They go buy alcohol at the bottle store, and sit and get drunk on that corner. They defecate and urinate in the park and use it as their own toilet. It is disgusting and getting out of hand,” shared the resident.
Disturbing to her is also a heap of rubbish piled up on the same corner, which she believes belongs to the vagrants. “In the mornings, they sit right next to the restaurant’s parking lot and during the day and afternoons they sit on Oxford Road next to Dunkeld Mansions.”
The frustrated Phantshi said she hopes the vagrants can be removed before it gets dangerous.
Ward 74 Councillor Jack Cooper said he was aware of the situation and was working on resolving the matter. “I have reported to Metro police but they seem to be slow on acting on my request to have the vagrants removed,” he said.
The councillor also highlighted that loitering and vagrants were experienced throughout the City. He added that he has in the past worked with Metro police to have vagrants removed but they always find their way back after some time.
Metro police are still to comment.