GEORGE NEWS - Following a recent George Herald article about homeless people’s complaints about the conduct of some George Municipality Law Enforcement Unit officers, some further complaints were received.

This time, a mother of three, a resident of Spandiel Street, Borcherds, complained that a hut in which she lived on an erf where there was an existing informal structure, was demolished on Friday 19 September while she was at the clinic with her baby. She was devastated when she arrived home to find law enforcement officers busy taking her place down. 

“They told me it was a tik house, which was not true. I was not given notice beforehand and they did not have a warrant,” said the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous.

According to her, the occupants of the main structure were granted until after that weekend to remove it, and they were therefore able to take any recovered materials with them for reuse. She, however, was left with nothing, she said. She and her two youngest children are currently being put up by a friend. She said her eldest daughter stays with her mother, the child’s grandmother, during the week for school.

The woman said she had gone to the Housing Department (Human Settlements) and Law Enforcement Unit in order to complain, in the hopes of getting alternative building materials, but to no avail.

A neighbour of hers said the municipality demolishes informal structures of people who receive RDP houses. “This I can understand, but they also then take down any additional structures where other family live, leaving them completely homeless, as is the case here. This poor mother works on a farm during the day and at night she and her children now have to find a place to sleep between a family member and friends’ places, who cannot accommodate them on a permanent basis.”

‘Rough handling’

Concern was also raised by Annalie Cable, who spearheads the local Wild Mongoo ministry among sex workers. 

Cable said homeless people they encounter on the streets during their outreaches at night complain about the ‘rough handling’ and offensive language used by some officers. Their blankets and other possessions are allegedly also taken, leaving them even more vulnerable.

Oversight over officers

In response to these allegations and questions about what oversight there is over the conduct of officers in the field, the municipality said the Law Enforcement Unit recently introduced 24-hour patrols, and each patrol operates under the supervision of a senior officer to ensure proper oversight.

“Senior officers monitor conduct and performance to ensure compliance with municipal by-laws and professional standards,” said the municipality.

“The officers address public drinking, begging, drug use and other unlawful or unsafe activities. While abandoned makeshift shelters are removed for safety reasons, personal belongings, documents and essential items are never confiscated and are returned to the owners. A night shelter for people sleeping on the streets is available. However, many refuse to comply with shelter rules, are banned or are involved in criminal activities. Law enforcement actively monitors such situations and has successfully intervened in numerous cases.”

The municipality said the 24-hour patrols have enabled it to make progress against criminal activity, and it has received positive feedback from residents, businessowners and its crime-fighting partners.

Spandiel Street

The municipality said the demolition in Spandiel Street complied with municipal procedures and legal requirements. “... the demolished structure was vacant, as the occupants had been allocated a municipal house. The demolition was requested by the community due to the structure being used for alleged illegal activities and safety concerns. No personal belongings were removed, and adjacent occupied structures were left intact.”

The municipality asked anyone with evidence that personal belongings have been taken unlawfully to report it to Law Enforcement at 25B Cathedral Street or on 044 801 6350 (07:45-16:30) or 044 801 6300 (after hours for by-law emergencies), or email it to gmun@george.gov.za.

“With regard to the alleged visit to the Human Settlements Department, information available at this stage suggests that we have not received a request to assist the mother with an emergency structure or second-hand material. We will investigate the matter and help if the complainant qualifies for an emergency structure in terms of our policy. The municipality continues to monitor and address illegal structures, and residents are encouraged to engage with the Human Settlements Department for legal accommodation options.”

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