As a former Randburg resident of more than 40 years, I was interested to read an article in the Randburg Sun about residents of Strydom Park obtaining permission to fence off a previously pristine greenbelt because of the growing influx of vagrants.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has granted the Strydom Park Ratepayers Association permission to fence the greenbelt along the Fabriek Street side.
I know the problem well. Where I previously lived, alongside the Braamfontein Spruit, vagrants increasingly occupied sections of the surrounding greenbelts. Makeshift shelters appeared, fires were lit, washing was hung from Eskom power line towers, and rubbish accumulated. Drug and alcohol abuse, noise and antisocial behaviour became part of the problem. What were once attractive green spaces became unpleasant and sometimes unsafe places to visit.
Nobody seems to have a definitive explanation for the influx. Economic circumstances may be a factor, as may the availability of relatively undisturbed spaces in suburban areas. Whatever the reasons, the consequences for residents are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Anyone familiar with the False Bay coastline, from Muizenberg through Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek to Simon’s Town, will know that vagrancy and pollution are hardly unfamiliar problems.
Take Kalk Bay. Walk along the coastline, on the seaside of the railway line, and you will find people living there permanently in makeshift shelters, often surrounded by rubbish. Drug and alcohol abuse, theft and other antisocial behaviour are also part of the broader problem.
The situation is compounded by litter thrown by passers-by and motorists. The PRASA railway reserve is another dumping ground, with little evidence of regular cleaning or maintenance.
Now imagine extending this environment along another stretch of coastline.There is a proposal to extend the coastal walkway from St James towards Clovelly. On the face of it, a coastal walkway sounds fine. Who wouldn’t enjoy walking along this beautiful stretch of coastline?
But what are the likely consequences? What happens to the natural environment, the existing community and the character of Clovelly? What about vagrancy, drug and alcohol abuse, littering, illegal dumping and crime?
The Muizenberg to St James coastal route, often called the Muizenberg Catwalk, was once a beautiful place to walk and enjoy the coastline. Today, it has acquired a rather different reputation. There are persistent reports of muggings, robberies and cellphone thefts. The advice from locals is generally to walk in groups, avoid quieter periods and be particularly careful about carrying valuables.
I once ventured along this route at around dusk. I encountered some criminal-looking scum and got out of there fast and haven’t been back. If you want to walk there, choose your time carefully and go with other people.
Then there is the Fish Hoek Catwalk (Jager’s Walk), which used to be another tranquil and attractive coastal route. It, too, has become notorious for opportunistic crime. There have been numerous reports of muggings, cellphone snatching and thefts. Much of this activity goes unreported, but local residents know the risks. Drug-related activity and antisocial behaviour add to the concerns. Walking alone is dangerous.
Who will maintain the walkway? Who will deal with littering, illegal dumping and makeshift settlements? Who will address drug and alcohol abuse, antisocial behaviour and crime? Who will provide security? Who will protect the natural environment?
We should be protecting our natural coastline, not creating another potential haven for vagrancy, drug abuse, pollution and criminal activity.
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