Dumping and vagrancy are getting worse in Rylands, say fed-up residents.
Vagrants scratch in residents’ bins and leave a mess behind, says Rukhsana Omar, who has lived in the neighbourhood for nearly 30 years.
Residents regularly have their bins, taps and gate motors stolen and their cars broken into, especially during Friday prayers, she says.
People give food to the vagrants who then discard leftovers and containers in the road, she says, adding that the problems in the area are getting worse despite her regular complaints to the City.
“People come from other areas and look for work here. People mean well by giving to vagrants, but it is really affecting our area badly. People’s plants are even being stolen outside.
“The smell of the dumping makes you so sick, and they don’t care, they just do it and get aggressive when you confront them. We are actually scared to walk around in the area. People should really give their donations to schools or feeding schemes instead.”
Sugra Sheik, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, said vagrancy along College Road was the worst, and vagrants often swore and shouted at residents.
Dumping was bad in Flat Road, on the corner of College and Middle roads, and along Klipfontein Road, at the fish market, she said.
“It’s mostly food containers that are being dumped and leftover food that they don’t finish that they get from people.
“We have approached vagrants to move but to no avail. They accuse us of being racist. We are really concerned about the health of residents. The smell makes you sick.”
Ward councillor Aslam Cassiem said municipal staff cleaned regularly, but dumping hot spots had increased and they struggled to keep up.
“I am meeting with various departments to find a solution to all of this. Yesterday we had a clean-up of that space at the fish market. We will be discussing a long-term solution for that space including ablution facilities.
“Several departments have to come on board, we are in very early stages of discussion with them, but we will find a solution.”