The face of not just homelessness, but petty crime, alleged drug use and public nuisance continues to rear its head opposite the Strand Police Station.
For almost two years, since lockdown restrictions began and state-of-disaster regulations were implemented, a nest of tents, rubbish and lewd behaviour has defined the vicinity. It is also where members of Strand Neighbourhood Watch (SNW) often encounters criminal elements, stolen items, weapons and drug paraphernalia almost daily.
The harshest effect of this reality has been felt and experienced by the surrounding residents – made up of mostly the elderly in residential care facilities in Altena Road, such as the Ametis Retirement Home. They have been negatively impacted since the start and the problem continues to brew, according to PRO for Die Strand-Naastediens NPC Estellé Lecoq.
“To sketch a quick picture for you, the residents of the camp do not have access to restrooms and would simply use the fence as their bathroom facility and washing line,” she said amid claims of vandalism to the home’s gardens and property.
“It does not take an expert to imagine what this looks and smells like on the other side of the fence, not even to mention the health and safety situation.
“Due to this problem we must use strong chemicals to clean the grounds and keep the residents as safe as possible. This is unfortunately not the only challenge.”
Lecoq added Ametis’ cleaning staff spend essential time cleaning up the mess, which includes that of rubbish that’s thrown over onto their premises.
She said: “The residents also have very valid safety concerns and therefore do not exercise and get outdoors as they should and did before the homeless camp was set up. This is very traumatic for the elderly. This whole situation has caused massive emotional trauma for the residents and staff as well as created unforeseen expenses for Ametis.
“Further, financially, not only are the properties devaluating at Ametis, Altena and Serenitas and the rest of the area around us, but we are also losing potential residents. They come to look at the property and see the mess that the homeless camp makes and then feel that they would not want to retire at Ametis, Altena or Serenitas. This, in turn, causes long term revenue loss.”
Philip Versveld of Strand Neighbourhood Watch (SNW) said that since the camp was set up, complaints of petty crime and public indecency has plagued the area, and SNW has responded regularly to specific repeat offenders who reside at the homeless camp.
He said: “It is a hotbed of criminal activity and probably the biggest issue is that despite avenues where they can receive assistance, the homeless refuse to go. We’ve engaged the police regularly and continue to assist the community and monitor the situation, and we are also finalising a plan which we hope will resolve this problem in the forseeable future.”
According to Ward 83 Councillor Carl Punt, the City cannot remove the homeless off the street where they are camping for the period that the Disaster Management Act is still in place.
“As a Local Government, the City of Cape Town are bound by the rule of law,” he said. “Cape Town’s Street and Public Places By-law was amended at the end of last year to align with the South African Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The bylaw requires that alternative accommodation be offered and ensures that sleeping in public places overnight, is no more an automatic offence if no other choice is available to a person, so the amendments effectively de-criminalise this conduct where no alternatives are available and ensuring that the City assists people to move off the street.”
Punt urged citizens of Strand also to play their part by not giving hand-outs and food, but rather support NGOs that assist street people and also have the knowledge on how to help them.
“If bylaws are not adhered to, please report it so that Law Enforcement can act,” he said. “Any criminal activities need to be reported to Strand police, so they can investigate it and put the criminals behind bars.”
Lecoq added that they’ve engaged the City through a signed petition, and also had negotiations to possibly purchase the side–walk in question from the municipality, before deciding not to proceed due to certain restrictions.
“Part of the problem that we have is that the community supports the homeless camp, and we would like to use this opportunity and ask the community to rather support the local shelters where the homeless will have access to food and a bed, and above all sanitary facilities. By supporting the homeless on the street, you keep them on the street.
“Our residents need their peace and quiet, which has been taken from them by the illegal homeless camp. We at Die Strand-Naastediens NPC have a responsibility to our residents, staff and visitors to keep them safe and secure. We are an NPC and want to serve the community, but the illegal campers make our job much more difficult,” she said.
