Complaints about prostitutes pour in
There has been a huge response to the article, 'Hookers, hustlers a menace'.
IT is not only Margate residents who are angry about the growing number of prostitutes who harass people and blatantly ply their trade in their town.
Judging by the huge response to the South Coast Herald’s front page article, ‘Hookers, hustlers a menace,’ concerns about the increase in prostitution are widespread on the South Coast. It is also apparent that the blatant, offensive, at times abusive and unacceptable behaviour of the prostitutes is angering and distressing many people.
“They act as if they are above the law,” said one frustrated Ramsgate business person.
As well as in Ramsgate, an increase in prostitution has been noted along the Port Shepstone beachfront, alongside the main Marine Drive in Port Shepstone, in Umtenweni particularly along Rethman Drive and Link Road and in Marburg’s Deepvale Road area.
Two residents of the northern section of Link Road have complained bitterly about the prostitutes who congregate in their peaceful residential area. At times there are up to 12 of them on one street corner. Since the homeowners objected to them being there they have become abusive. They mock the homeowners with lewd behaviour, lifting their skirts to expose their genitals and simulating sexual acts in the street, often in front of young children. On one occasion one of the women threw stones at a resident’s vehicle. Fortunately no damage was done.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid said anyone who was harassed or intimidated by people loitering in their area, should immediately contact the nearest police station and report the matter. She also advised them to contact the sector commanders for their specific areas.
“The police will need a statement to open a case and to arrest a person if any criminal offence was committed,” she explained. She urged all South Coast residents to attend the community policing forum meetings in their areas and to become actively involved with the police to address matters of concern.
She advised Umtentweni residents who were being harassed by prostitutes to contact Captain Cecil Kodi , the sector commander for Umtentweni, at 082 3338236.
Have you been affected by the prostitution problem? Please leave you comment below, or on the South Coast Herald’s facebook page.
