Residents seek solutions to eradicate vagrants

Residents of Little Falls and Struben’s Valley agreed to work tirelessly to find amicable solutions to the challenges in their suburbs.

Little Falls and Struben’s Valley Residential Community (Lifco) meeting was held at Eagle View Guest House and Conference Centre on 4 November.

The challenge of vagrants loitering around Cascades Road with some of them allegedly involved in drug dealings and unscrupulous activities took centre stage.

The Lifco chairperson Reg Mazibuko indicated that they should start somewhere if they want to keep their suburbs clean.

“I learned that not all vagrants are criminals, probably two out of 10 from each group are criminals,” Mazibuko said.

Parklands Manor resident Nigel Wilmot complained that three years ago there were few vagrants on Cascades Road but over the past few months the numbers have escalated. “The vagrants intimidate the residents. We need to get JMPD involved because the vagrants are transgressing bylaws,” Wilmot said.

He further indicated that sometime two months ago, a vagrant was stabbed outside their residential complex and died.

“The level of dumping increased, we do not even know which toilet facilities they [vagrants] use. We all need to start somewhere to solve that problem,” he concluded.

Mazibuko reckoned that working with police, JMPD and private companies and regularly monitoring the vagrants would eventually eradicate the problem.

Ward 97 committee member Judy Wilson advised residents to report all the crime incidents in their suburbs regardless of how petty they may be.

“If they are selling drugs, they are criminals. When they see that police are regularly monitoring them they scatter,” Wilson said.

Among other issues that were discussed were Lifco’s financial status, security cameras and crime report by the SRT security company.

Details: Lifco info@littlestrubens.co.za.

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