Margaret Petersen, a resident of Progress Avenue in Lindhaven, said residents of a nearby shelter are making her life and those of her neighbours a living hell.
She levelled serious allegations against the inhabitants of the shelter, calling it a “drug nest” (an allegation that has been doing the rounds for many years), and said that as soon as some of the shelter’s residents were released from jail, they stole the copper water pipes out of her yard, and last year they even had the gall to steal electricity from her electricity box.
Petersen lives in a unit alongside seven others. The theft of the copper pipes first took place on 14 November and again at 2am on 18 November. The residents are now without water and have to get a plumber to sort out the problem.
Also Read:
https://roodepoortrecord.co.za/2015/03/04/prostitution-and-drug-allegations-against-shelter/
The shelter, which claims to be a Christian haven for those who have fallen on hard times, has been the subject of numerous rumours over the years. These include excessive drug use, sexual misconduct, the theft of donations and police raids. It is also said that the infamous female beggar who harasses and attacks motorists and vandalises their vehicles at the intersection of Prosperity Road and Progress Avenue hails from the shelter.
Initially the shelter was run by a pastor, but due to ill-health, he had to resign a few years ago. “Now it seems that no one is in charge and the shelter dwellers are running amok,” said Petersen.
“I am even afraid to hang my clothes out to dry in the back yard, because it could be easily accessed by these miscreants,” she went on to say.
Petersen also claimed to have contacted the police, but that they have yet to respond.
The Record is in the process of obtaining comment from the shelter and the police.
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