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Homelessness is a national problem that has reached crisis proportions in Hermanus.
If one lives here one encounters this reality every day. Where one used to be able to walk around the town at night, it is now quite unthinkable.
The problem regarding vagrants has increased, and businesses in particular suffer as result of it. “We can no longer work late, for we are verbally abused and fear for our safety,” one business owner said. “In the mornings when we have to open our businesses we have to walk around the homeless. It creates a wrong impression of our beautiful town.”
Another related how she was assaulted after confronting the homeless. “It’s getting ridiculous. I have even caught them committing indecent acts on the premises. What must we do? If we call the municipality they tell us we have to call law enforcement. Law enforcement removes the homeless, but they return after a few minutes and make themselves at home for the night.”
The situation is now getting out of hand and costs business owners thousands of rands just to keep the destitute off their premises. “We are in difficult economic times and now we have to pay extra money for our own safety and that of our businesses,” another business owner said. “I think it is very unfair.”
The Overstrand Municipality (OM) emphasised that being homeless is not an offence. The OM also issued a press release on 23 June 2022 about the safety in the CBD and vagrants seeking shelter in town.
“A constructive meeting between Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) and the Executive Mayor of the Overstrand, Dr Annelie Rabie, took place on 21 June 2022. The initial intention of the meeting was to discuss the issue of vagrancy and homeless people after HPP presented its first order findings of a report by their consultant.”
Both parties explained their expectations of each other as well as some of the legal challenges facing the Protection Services Directorate of the municipality.
At this meeting it was agreed that where needed provincial departments responsible for specific service delivery will be contacted.
The press release stated further: “Both HPP and the Overstrand Municipality agreed that the municipality has the responsibility to control public spaces and roads. Likewise HPP has a responsibility to meet the expectations of its membership.”
Lourens Theron, spokesperson of AfriForusm Alfa Neighbourhood Watch, says the problem is increasing. “We are getting more and more calls about the issue. We suggest that business owners erect right of admission reserved notice boards on the premises. We remove homeless people from premises every night and patrol the area to make sure they don’t return.”
He also suggested that business owners should give more attention to lighting around the buildings.
“Nobody likes to sleep where there are bright lights around the buildings. But remember to place the lights so that they are not easily accessible.”. Another alternative for the homeless is to go to the Hermanus Night Shelter which opened its doors in 2022.
Hermanus Night Shelter’s vision is to provide a shelter in which a person who is aged, sick, needy or homeless can overnight in safety, comfort and dignity and of which Hermanus can be proud. The shelter provides overnight accommodation for 12 females and 22 males. They will enjoy a shower, hot meal and bed before vacating the premises early the following morning. The Hermanus Night Shelter is situated at 28 Malva Street, Mount Pleasant.
