Two vagrants were sleeping next to the walkway for the duration of the visit, while pupils of nearby schools cycled past on their way home.
The residents who live close to this walkway are desperate for help to rid their immediate area of these unwanted guests, who relieve themselves on the grass next to their fences, as well as at the rail reserve next to the railway line.
"Drunken brawls, vagrants throwing stones at pedestrians, open fires next to the railway line and vagrants taking a dump in plain sight of residents are daily occurrences these households have to live with," said Alayne Mitchell, who lives next to the pedestrian bridge.
Pieter Kemp, an every day cyclist on the route, says at times he finds it "scary".
Mitchell tells of an incident where a vagrant sexually assaulted two girls from Môreson Children's Home, which is nearby. Another resident, Gavin Endres, says after his daughter was sexually assaulted, he no longer allows his children to go outside unsupervised. In both instances the men touched the girls, making lewd comments.
Drug lord 'managed' vagrants
"The only time we had peace and quiet here was when a drug lord, who lived down the road, managed the bridge like the military," said Mitchell.
"No one then dared to loiter in this area. However, the drug lord was arrested at the beginning of the year."
When the situation gets very bad, Mitchell calls Transnet Security in Cape Town, who calls a local branch of the security company, Fidelity, to remove the vagrants.
"These guys are too drunk or high on something to go to the shelter, and they don't want to work. They are not candidates for Men On the Side of the Road," said Mitchell.
She says the situation got out of hand about a year ago.
Living in a 'squatter camp'
"I live in a squatter camp here, but I'm paying rates and taxes," complained Mitchell "Unfortunately, our ward councillor deems the vagrants' rights higher than the rights of the residents. The George Municipality doesn't show their presence here."
A letter from a resident who complained about this situation was published on 24 July, with comment from the George Municipality stating that, "The municipality visits the area on a regular basis as part of their routine inspections."
According to the municipality, vagrants are removed should they come across any.
"Our function is, however, restricted to municipal property. Meanwhile, municipal law enforcement officers do regular patrols throughout the day in the area," their comment reads.
Mitchell completely disagrees with this statement, saying she never sees any "municipal presence".
Transnet, the police and a neighbourhood watch
In their reply to the George Herald's inquiries, the municipality states that the railway is under the jurisdiction of Transnet.
"Transnet already indicated that they will mend or replace the fences at the bridge," said Chantell Edwards-Klose, the George Municipality's media liaison officer.
"Residents are advised to call the police should they see any criminal activities."
The municipality's integrated job creation project, Men on the Side of the Road, aims to address some of the city's social problems associated with the homeless, said Edwards-Klose.
"The municipality, Transnet and the police force cannot solve social problems without the participation of the community."
"Iona Kritzinger, councillor for community safety, urges residents to organise a neighbourhood watch to help address the security issues on a systematical way, within the law."
According to Lionel Essau, the ward councillor, the issue of vagrants taking over is a "world wide phenomenon".
"I wish I had advice to give," said Esau upon inquiry from the George Herald.
"We can't take the people away. Their rights are stronger than those of the residents."
"Every time I receive a complaint I ask law enforcement to go and have a look. Unfortunately, the vagrants return as soon as you turn your back."
According to Essau, it would be dangerous to ask a single law enforcement officer to sort out a bunch of vagrants, "because they outnumber the officer".
Businesses suffer
Delien van der Poel, the owner of Denneoord Laundry, is at her wits' end with vagrants who use the stoep in front of her laundry as a sleeping place and a toilet.
"I have a self service component that is open until 22:00, but the women are scared to do their laundry after dark These people sleep here, and harass my clients. Even my workers are scared," she said.
"I've had six burglaries within the last year."
Vagrants sleep in front of nearby businesses, like Denneoord Laundry. Woman who have to collect their washing is scared to enter the place after dark, said business owner Delien van der Poel. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
Vagrants making a fire next to the railway. According to residents, they burn anything - even plastic. Photo: Alayne Mitchell
ARTICLE: MICHELLE PIENAAR, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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