In addition to begging for a living, homeless people in Durban need the rands and cents from good Samaritans to pay fines for contravening bylaws.
Since March last year, eThekwini's law-enforcement officers have issued 3,000 fines, from R200 to R500, to people found begging in the city.
René Greyling, 28, who has been begging at a busy Durban intersection for the past four months after struggling to find a job, said she had thrown away about eight fines issued by metro police.
"Issuing the fine is just to keep the police busy. I have to raise R80 every day for shelter fees. My two-year-old son is living with a friend in Pretoria until I find a job.
"I have been robbed twice and get harassed by other beggars. I don't do drugs. I am just trying to survive," said Greyling.
She stands on the streets holding up a sign that reads: "Please don't judge me. Embarrassing enough 2 stand here. I'm not lazy/drug addict. Single mother with a lovely boy 2 support. Your help is greatly appreciated by us. Thank You! God bless us all."
Beggars now face a bigger threat.
Flyers under the banner of the North Beach Community Policing Forum were distributed this week urging residents and tourists to join the "Don't give campaign", aimed at stopping begging on the Golden Mile.
Rookaya Vawda, a North Beach resident, said: "The beggars harass beachgoers, whether you are just walking along the beachfront or sitting at one of the restaurants. We have handed out flyers."
Mohamed Mustapha, 69, who is in a wheelchair, said if he was prevented from begging in the area he would kill himself.
"I have no other means of getting money and food to survive. I pay R120 to rent a room at a lodge near the beachfront. I have no one to help me.
"I don't harass people and have never been fined. How can police fine a beggar who has nothing?" asked Mustapha.
Henry Naidoo, chairman of the North Beach Community Policing Forum, said the committee did not approve the anti-beggar campaign or the pamphlets.
eThekwini head of communications Tozi Mthethwa confirmed that, since the implementation of the nuisances and behaviour in public bylaw in March 2016, more than 3,000 fines had been issued for begging.
She couldn't say if any of the fines had been paid.
Mike Sutcliffe, the former city manager and a beachfront resident, said he did not believe beggars should be removed or displaced, adding there was no evidence they were a safety risk...