by Councillor Mark RH Kleinschmidt
I have worked and interacted with the homeless street people at the Lansdowne Station precinct since I became the ward councillor in August, 2016, and hereby submit the following information:
The homeless street people have illegally “invaded” Prasa Metrorail and City land around the Lansdowne Station Precinct and surrounding areas over the past 15 years.
The St Aidan’s Church road is continuously littered with refuse and faeces, angering parishioners and compromising their spirituality.
The Lansdowne Station car park is another example. Residents aspire to park their vehicles here safely so that they may commute to work by train.
Encroachment on to the roads and pavements by the homeless street people is a danger to both pedestrians, road users and themselves.
Their (homeless street people) lives are also very much endangered through non-adherence to basic road usage.
The environmental health issue is a challenge because where do the homeless street people relieve themselves?
My meetings with mayor Dan Plato, Mayco member for Community and Health Services Councillor Dr Zahid Badroodien, and all relevant stakeholders revealed that there is a definite will by the City to assist the homeless street people.
Our ongoing interaction is that not all want to be assisted, and some resisted the option of being placed into a shelter, the reason being that they do not want to comply with the rules and regulations of the shelters.
I remain optimistic that those who want assistance will be reintegrated back into society.
The City’s law enforcement agencies have a duty to enforce the by-laws regarding the “invasion” of property, which results in lawlessness and anti social behaviour. It is the City’s responsibility to protect all its citizens, including ratepayers and property owners.
Residents must please comply with the City of Cape Town’s Give Responsibly campaign by donating their merchandise to the OWL Night Shelter or accredited NGO’s.
Our plan at Lansdowne Station precinct is:
1. To install a perimeter fence to create a safe parking space for train commuters.
2. Negotiating with Prasa Metrorail to apportion part of the frontage of Lansdowne Station as an informal trading area. I hosted a positive meeting with the City’s Informal Trading and Prasa Metrorail leasing officials to conclude a lease agreement/memorandum of understanding to bring the aforesaid to fruition.
3. Apportion the strip of land adjacent to the railway tracks to establish an urban garden project managed by the homeless street people growing vegetables for their own subsistence and possible sale for economic activity.
I’m positive we can achieve a win-win situation if we have co-operation with all stakeholders.
* Councillor Mark RH Kleinschmidt, Ward 60.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
Cape Argus
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