Too many beggars are turning tragedy into a business

We are all emotionally affectedevery time we stop our car at an intersection and a beggar looks us in the eye and puts his hand out.

Beggars have become an intrinsic part of our landscape in cities and small towns.

Gauteng social development MEC Faith Mazibuko yesterday called on us not to give money to beggars, even children asking for a donation for their school.

She said beggars have become a heavy burden to her department and that the problem is worsening.

"If you continue giving out the money, you are the one sending the message that, in Gauteng, it is easy to make money without going to work."

Some will berate the MEC and accuse her of denying people the right to behave, or be treated, humanely. Others will argue that many beggars are just con artists preying on the gullible public.

Those beggars who are not merely work-shy should turn to the state for help, not the public. Their presence in such numbers turns our cities into free-for-all zones, even though we have by-laws regarding street begging that should be enforced.

But although there should be a crackdown, it must not be a blitzkrieg.

The provincial government must not simply begin removing the destitute from our streets en masse but must consider each case separately on its merits.

We agree with the MEC that the South African Social Security Agency, the Department of Social Development and municipalities must fulfil their purpose - and it is to these institutions that beggars should turn.

Our charitable spirit and our concern for the wellbeing of children is being abused by people who have found a lucrative market on the streets.

Some people have resorted to street begging for legitimate reasons beyond their control, but there are those who are selling tragedy for profit.

There is often more to street begging than meets the eye.