On 24 March, homeless community members on the green belt at George Lea Park in Parkmore and near the Field and Study Recreation Centre in Riverclub were allegedly harassed by Metro police officers with all their belongings burnt.
A worker at the Field and Study Centre, who wished to remain anonymous out of fear from future harassment, said that at 10am, Metro police made their way to the area where many of the dwellers, who work as gardeners and informal rubbish collectors, live.
He said, “They began harassing us and taking all our belongings and putting them into a fire. One of the guys staying here was on his way home to Lesotho for Easter when Metro police burnt his packed bag which had his money, clothing and papers in it.”
Chairperson of Friends of Field and Study, Rose Johnson said the incident was absolutely ‘disgusting’ and that Metro police officers took some of the squatters belongings which she labelled as ‘legalised theft’.
Spokesperson for Metro police, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the squatters were in contravention of serious bylaws, adding that to sleep in an open area which is on an embankment such as a park, is illegal, additionally trading goods such as artwork is against bylaws and Metro police simply confiscated all the goods. About five minutes down the road from the Field and Study Recreation Centre, workers living next to the spruit at George Lea Park faced similar treatment. Sandton Drive artist Abram Kgoeli, who was interviewed by the Sandton Chronicle last year ahead of the CEOSleepout, had his shack burnt down and all of his art confiscated by Metro police.
Kgoeli said Metro police first appeared on 24 March when they burnt the belongings and shacks of informal rubbish collectors living along the spruit, but returned on 31 March when they took his paintings.
He added, “I make most of my money for food through my art and that was taken away.”
But squatters from both incidents state that this was not the first time this has occurred with numerous incidents happening over the past few months. Squatters at the Field and Study Recreation Centre said it happens at least once a month.
In contrast to Kgoeli and Johnston’s perspective, Ward 90 councillor, under which George Lea Park falls, Anthony Still said that residents in the area are not happy that the vagrants are staying in these areas.
Still added, “Not only is it an eyesore, but they inhibit usage of the park with a great deal of litter all around the park and the issue of intimidation towards park users.”
Still said that he does have sympathy for them living there, but he believes the City should tackle the problem.
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