Hidden from plain sight, approximately 100 homeless individuals live under the Hardwick Street Bridge in Newcastle, according to Newcastle Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson, Ismaeel Dhalech, signifying a growing issue within the community.
Dhalech further explained that in recent months, the homeless population under local bridges in Newcastle has grown exponentially, with the Hardwick Street Bridge sheltering the largest portion of this community.
Enduring harsh weather and hardships unimaginable to regular community members, the homeless population has unfortunately contributed to local crime, according to Dhalech. “The majority of housebreaking cases, along with petty thefts, muggings, and burglaries in non-franchise businesses, are linked to these individuals. In fact, if there is a residential burglary and law enforcement receives a description of the suspect, we will generally find them here,” said Dhalech.
He also pointed out that most of those living under the bridge did not originate from Newcastle. “They come from places such as Nqutu and other surrounding towns, after being chased from their homes because of their habits,” he explained.
When Newcastillian News visited the Hardwick Street Bridge with Dhalech, a grim scene was revealed. As noted, the homeless have created a small town under the bridge, their homes made up of cardboard boxes and discarded wood, with a vast amount of litter polluting the ground around them.
Whilst under the bridge, Newcastillian News and Newcastle CPF were met by the sullen faces of a small group of homeless people, who were busy cooking and doing laundry while others were out and about.
Surrounded by their filthy environment, a few of the people under the bridge confirmed that they did not all come from Newcastle. One individual stated he came to Newcastle from Msunduzi (Pietermaritzburg) where his family still lived. Another claimed he was from Osizweni but could not specify which part or whether his family knew where he was. However, the individuals were not keen to discuss why they were under the bridge and shied away from explaining why they were not with their families.
“The Newcastle CPF has started an initiative where they and the police target public areas where people use drugs, and some of those under the bridge have been caught injecting themselves,” explained Dhalech. Allegedly, many of those on drugs commit crimes to support their drug habits.
Adding to this shoddy area that is unbeknown to countless residents travelling over the bridge every day, the homeless also use their immediate surroundings for toilet facilities. They urinate and defecate where they please, while also bathing in the river, thereby posing a health risk to the environment and other people.
Moreover, Dhalech stressed that as harsh as it may sound, residents needed to stop supporting the homeless by giving them money and food, as it merely attracts more to the area and has made them complacent in not seeking appropriate help or employment.
As the living conditions of the homeless community pose both safety and health risks, this is a developing story. Newcastillian News is awaiting responses from the Newcastle Municipality on the steps they could potentially take to address the matter.
With the above story in mind, what are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 2
I personally agree with Mr Dhalech that the community is encouraging the homeless to grow, as they know if they stand by the traffic lights with the sad faces( we’ll practiced) someone will pity them and give them money or food, the money goes for drugs, the food I have seen them throw whatever they get away or just leave the containers by the traffic lights, these vagrants pose a threat to our community and people don’t want to learn cause they continue giving them money and food. I am know I will be attacked for this by saying don’t feed them, if the community stops supporting these homeless people they will eventually leave our streets and return to their homes. Unfortunately some will stop feeling sorry for these people some won’t it’s up to us as a community to get our streets cleared of these people and make Newcastle a better safe place, and hopefully cleaner, all their rubbish flows into our rivers posing a threat to us. Come on community members who help these people stop giving they going to carry on.
People shuld stop given strt kids money or food when they stand on the robot n around town. They dnt do that in the location, so why in town.same money that u give them the go n buy drugs. The u help them,keeps them frm their home.98% of them r criminals. They do that in other to sustain their living condition. Also these standing by the robot asking for money shuld stop