'How will they pay?' City of Cape Town slammed for allegedly fining the homeless
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Image: ANTON SCHOLTZ
South Africans have taken to social media seething with anger after reports that the City of Cape Town is fining homeless people for allegedly "obstructing pedestrian traffic" and allegedly breaking other bylaws.
A News24 report on Monday revealed that homelessness in Cape Town may now come at a cost, following various complaints by residents, who felt that the city was not being consistent in enforcing its bylaws.
Law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason denied that they were targeting the homeless, but said they are after anyone who violates the city's bylaws, which prohibit camping, noise, nuisances and setting up fires in undesignated areas.
Lighting a fire in an undesignated area will cost up to R1,500, while anyone obstructing pedestrian traffic could be fined R300.
Since the release of the report, many have taken to Twitter to express their frustration and anger towards the residents who complained about the homeless, and the city for the way it has handled the situation.
Cape Town law enforcement is also full of nonsense for even entertaining this. How do they suppose the homeless will pay these fines??
— rose golden 💫 (@Motheo__xx) July 1, 2019
I’ve never heard of a more ineffective measure to dissuade or punish by-law infringement.
Wow, Cape Town is a country where the poor and homeless don't have a place. This is really sad.
— Tebogo(Eugi K) (@EuginiaKObuone) July 1, 2019
#KnowYourDA
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) July 1, 2019
Homeless people can’t pay fines, where will they get the money from?
Shouldn’t these resources of arresting those ‘breaking traffic laws’ be directed towards serious crimes?
#DearMandela
— YS 🇰🇪 (@YARA_Statson) July 1, 2019
A homeless person pays R1500 fine if they are caught sleeping in the lofty streets of Cape Town.
The freedom you fought for is being dragged through the mud.
Sincere @YARA_Statson
Homeless people are having it bad in Mzansi. In Tshwane they’re being killed and in Cape Town they’re being fined 🙊
— The Main Thing Keeper (@AdvocyT) July 1, 2019
How the fxck does Cape Town officials allow homeless to be given fines R1500 for obstructing pavements..like they have that amount lying around and choose to sleep on the streets than find a place of shelter to rent.
— Verdict_Official (@TheLastVerdict) July 1, 2019
Cape Town: fines for homeless people
— W (@wati_) July 1, 2019
Littering R500
Starting / keeping a fire in public place R1 500
Obstructing pedestrian traffic or sleeping in a stationary motor vehicle in a public place R300 https://t.co/oxURVFQkWF
Offered accommodation where?? They are homeless which means they have no money!! This is so infuriating!!! 🤬😡 city of Cape Town working for the elite few!!! Would help if they actually provided houses!!! This madness needs to end!!
— zaheer (@ZaheerDaniels) July 1, 2019
This is stupid the people are already broke hence them leaving on the street #KnowYourDA
— Talent@807 (@Talent14753845) July 1, 2019
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Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.