Durban – The community of Chatsworth has reportedly been tarnished by vagrants who have hidden stolen items in sewer lines causing their blockage, stealing from generous businesses and residents, and littering after motorists and generous people have provided them with food and water.
Earlier this week, Chatsworth Crime Watch’s Mohamed Bilal Khan shared what he called interesting information about Higginson Highway – Westcliff/Woodhurst Bridge in Chatsworth, south of Durban.
“We have received reports from local civics. Stolen items have been discovered to be the main cause of regular blockages to the sewer lines around the Westcliff/Woodhurst Bridge area,” Khan said.
He said that vagrants were now “hiding stolen items in the sewer lines to avoid detection”.
“In the previous blockage incident, a microwave was found to be the main cause.
“Copper pipes and other stolen household items have also been discovered,” Khan said.
He said that currently there was a blockage to the sewer line that was a health hazard to passing pedestrians and motorists.
“These issues take weeks on end to be sorted out, whilst we the community are left to bear the stench until it’s resolved,” Khan said.
He said that areas and spots that are frequented by vagrants have become a rubbish dump.
He also said that vagrants can be found begging at spots around traffic lights. There will also be litter dumped on the roadside.
“The indirect cause – passing motorists giving these beggars food in packets, lunchboxes, polystyrene containers, bottles etc. Yes, we have also found diapers, sanitary pads, tools, plastic bags and clothes.
“So our community needs to be educated and take responsibility for this,” continued Khan.
He urged businesses, residents and passing motorists not to entertain those vagrants.
“There have been regular reports received, where these paras (vagrants) take food from generous residents. The paras end up dumping the food a few metres away from the gate/driveway,” Khan said.
He said the food is dumped because it does not contain meat.
“Further reports received, paras come to drink water at local businesses/homes, only to return and steal the copper pipes and other items of value,” Khan said.
He said that while the greater Indian community is known to be generous, this has led to the main cause of the vagrants making the community their home.
Often, the vagrants have been seen sleeping on the doorsteps of local businesses, parks, bridges and other areas.
Khan added that the vagrants have become the cause of destruction to their once beautiful community of Chatsworth.
“How can we deal with this problem which is robbing families of loved ones and valuables?” Khan asked.
Daily News