Drugs, dumping and crime: Clairwood site a cause for concern

TOXIC fumes, growing mounds of rubble and rubbish, and increasing illegal activities is what residents of Houghton Road are faced with on a daily from the ‘discomfort’ of their homes.

Rightfully a municipal plot of land, 191 Houghton Road in Clairwood has become a problem area, frequented by suspected drug addicts who have allegedly claimed it not only as a hideout to smoke and get high but also as a spot to commit criminal activities.

Ward 32 PR councillor Sharmaine Sewshanker disclosed that she has been inundated with complaints regarding the issue which has been ongoing for almost a year but appears to be getting worse. “These boys which we suspect are whoonga addicts hang out in this area, they undress and smoke their drugs. Residents living in the surrounding area are in full view of these boys stark naked in broad daylight. This alone is a concern because we don’t know what more could be happening there.

“They also burn stolen copper wire there almost every evening. We had to call the fire department recently after a fire got out of control and residents feared for their homes, which are in close proximity.”

Sewshanker said the plot of land has further become an illegal dumping ground where residents are using it to dispose of their waste.

“The state of this area is so disappointing. We’ve asked for this land to be given under some form of custodian agreement to the community to be turned into a communal garden that would be run by a proper committee. However, I have contacted various entities within eThekwini Municipality but we were denied of this. I approached the South Durban Basin Area Based Management (SDB ABM) and I was told this was not possible.

“I’m inundated with calls regarding this area and I’ve sent numerous queries with no luck. The city does not clean or maintain the area. They can’t even agree to it being cordoned off. When you have an issue involving criminal elements and drugs it’s dangerous because these petty thieves will now be inclined to commit house robberies and this will be an even bigger problem. Nothing is being done and it is unacceptable. Police often arrive after the fact and the residents are frustrated,” she said.

A woman who lives in a neighbouring property, who wished to remain unnamed for fear of her safety, shared that the issue is becoming an unbearable inconvenience, a safety concern and a health hazard.

“The fumes are terrible. These boys come with lots of copper and when they burn it all you see is black smoke. We’ve called the fire brigade numerous times who have given us excellent service. Unfortunately where the police are concerned is another issue. They do come but only after the boys are gone and done with their activities. We’ve even had one of these boys try to jump over our fence in an attempt to enter our property. Our doors and windows remain closed throughout the day. We are not safe. I’m forced to live like a prisoner in my own home.

“This plot of land is not maintained and there is the threat of these fires getting out of control. People could lose their lives, even these boys themselves, it is a very scary situation. This land could be better utilised. Clairwood is a poor community, the people that live there are underprivileged and could really do with a communal garden that could help feed needy families. If the city doesn’t want to maintain it, why don’t they give it to community members who are determined to use it for something positive?” questioned the woman who said that she has even sent an inquiry to the mayor’s office on the matter as her last resort.

SDB ABM response:

Irene Chetty of the SDB ABM said she was aware of the ongoing issue. “I have communicated with the resident next to door to the site on numerous occasions. We normally make a request to the real estate department for them to fill out a pro forma which is a long process and thereafter once approved goes to the parks department. Once received at parks, they will put this work out to a contractor or in house. This was cut previously and the resident is well aware of this cut carried out by parks.

“Due to the protest and Covid-19 which also impacts our work in all our areas, parks work on skeleton staff just like all departments. Real estate will have to do a new pro forma again and hand it over to parks to carry out their work.

“It was reported criminals find this as a hideout but this also was reported by the SDB ABM to Metro Police. So the statement that SDB ABM doesn’t provide any assistance is incorrect. We stop by every week at this site and also check how best we can assist. There are some things that are beyond our control.”

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