By-laws on begging being ignored, say residents
NORTH Beach residents and motorists are appealing to metro police to deal with street beggars at busy traffic intersections in Durban.
Several motorists who contacted City Watch claimed that there was an increase in the number of beggars, particularly in the North Beach area. They say metro police are failing to enforce the by-laws.
“We not against giving to the needy, but we are concerned about the manner in which begging is being done. It’s dangerous,” said Mary Haskins, a motorist who got a fright when a beggar put his hand through her car window.
“Some keep knocking on the car windows until they get what they want.
“Sometimes it feels like they will break the window if not given money,” said Haskins.
“There are often five to 10 beggars at busy intersections. They could easily get run over.”
She said some physically challenged beggars moved around on low push carts, disrupting traffic movement and putting themselves and others at risk.
The North Beach Community Policing Forum has tried in the past to discourage begging, rehabilitate beggars or flush them out of the city.
The forum also made a proposal to the metro police to display signboards prohibiting begging on some roads, such as the intersections on Sandile Thusi (Argyle) Road.
Another North Beach motorist, who would only identify himself as Patrick, said Durban was “littered with beggars” at intersections.
“We have revised by-laws and we have municipal courts, but there is zero enforcement,” he said. “Metro police are barely visible.”
“Also, a lot of our traffic infrastructure is damaged, like speed cameras, signage – nothing is being done.” The city’s nuisances and behaviour in public places by-law of 2015 provides measures for preventing or managing public nuisances to prohibit certain activities in public places.
The by-law states that no person may in a public place act in a manner that is dangerous to life.
It also says the municipality may erect signage indicating prohibited or permissible conduct in a public place, to stop begging for money or goods whether by a gesture or words.
But residents said the by-laws were “just a decoration”.
North Beach Community Policing Forum member Rookaya Vawda said people on the beachfront were tired of being harassed by the beggars.
“This needs to be controlled so those who wish to give can do it in a safe manner,” said Vawda.
Metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad said they are still working on the plans to eliminates beggars but they have not finalised the plan.
“Begging in the streets is illegal, shortage of resources and financial constraints has made it difficult to enforce the law,” he said.