[LETTER] Break the cycle, stop tipping beggars

EDITOR – With the very rife drug problem in our community, I must insist that you stop tipping the beggars, as all you are doing is fueling their habit. It is enough! Rather give your monetary, clothing and food donations to a shelter or church and encourage the beggars to go to these facilities.

If you continue to give them money and food, they will continue to return, as it is easy handouts.

Three months ago I gave the two beggars on Seadoone Road R100 each and encouraged them to buy buckets and soap, to serve the community by washing cars, thereby empowering themselves. Sadly, this did not happen and it is apparent to me that they do not want to work. These two have been standing around the Seadoone traffic lights and off-ramp since lockdown started in May last year. More than a year of handouts, no more. Worse, and recently, when they are not around, others take their place.

Please Toti people, stop giving them money.

As in Cape Town, I encourage that signs be placed around our community and in shop windows, to discourage tipping the beggars because of the drug problem. This applies also to the ‘random’ car guards that arrive when they see a group of cars somewhere. By giving them money you are saying it is okay to grow the drug/ alcohol/ laziness problems we have in Amanzimtoti.

ANONYMOUS  

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