Centre security don’t want us
“I’ve been hustling at Palm Court Shopping Centre but the centre security targets and beat us up, which is not fair," said Kelvin Prumai, the homeless man.
Looking for jobs and begging for money have become very difficult for the homeless men in Weltevreden Park.
This after Kelvin Prumai accused centre security at a busy local shopping centre of harassing and assaulting them when visiting the centre to beg or buy food.
“I’ve been hustling at Palm Court Shopping Centre but the centre security targets and beat us up, which is not fair,” said Kelvin, who claimed that he has been pepper-sprayed and had ice-cold water hurled at him by security guards.
“They kick our food when we’re at the centre and prevent us from asking for money,” he alleged.
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Another homeless man, Armando Mthembu, said their lives are made even more difficult when the centre prevents them from entering the premises.
Kelvin added that when a criminal offence takes place at the centre, they are the first to be blamed. “We are always accused of theft although we visit the centre with good intentions,” he said.
When Kelvin was asked why he hasn’t opened a case against the centre security, he said he couldn’t report the matter because he has fought back.
A centre caretaker who spoke to Northsider in the past, after another homeless person was apparently assaulted, said the homeless guys are warned about drinking alcohol at the premises and are forced out if they disobey the centre rules.
Questions have been sent to the accused centre security company. We are still awaiting a response.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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