In an unassuming pile of tyres, lives four adults and, until recently, three children under the age of seven.
With their health and safety a concern, residents had been battling to get help for these children for months before contacting People’s Post late last month.
Having first visited the location on De Duin Avenue at the end of April, People’s Post witnessed firsthand drug use and the conditions the children and adults were living in.
Russel Chanquin, chair of the Amandel Block Watch had been reporting the matter to the local Department of Social Development for around six months.
The children, Aisha (6), Aashiq (4) and Amier (2) were removed on Tuesday 2 May.
“Designated child protection organisation, ACVV, provides child protection services in this area. The children were removed, and are in a place of safety,” says Esther Lewis, a spokesperson for the department.
Lewis says in receiving a report, a social worker conducts a safety and risk assessment to determine if a child is in immediate danger.
“If this is the case, social workers remove the children, who are then placed in temporary safe care, as their investigation into whether the children are in need of care and protection unfolds. The Children’s Court will issue an order detailing the child’s placement as the investigation is underway,” she says.
“It is important to note that the department doesn’t automatically remove children from the parents if they are homeless. Instead, social workers do try, where appropriate, to preserve the family unit by offering assistance to try and improve their circumstances. They may be assisted with access to psychosocial support, family preservation services, community-based early intervention child protection services, or professional referrals.”
According to the mother Zaida Anderson and father Reginald Steenbok, they have been given three months to show progress to get the children back.
“I need to get off the street and find a job. They gave me three months,” says Anderson.
But, Steenbok says the children never lived with them.
“They live with their grandma. They just come and visit me here. Sometimes when it is too late to take them back and dark or there is load shedding, then they sleep here by me. The social workers think they live here,” he says.
“They said this isn’t a place for children to live. They also think the children are playing on the pavement, but they play in the park. I feel bad. It was better when the children were by me.”
His claims are contrary to both photographic evidence received and observations by People’s Post.
Ward 81 councillor Ashley Potts, however, confirms to his knowledge they were moved to the grandma nearby, recently.
“These children are a concern, even though the children are living with their grandma around the corner, they still run around and make their way back to where their parents are. The City’s Department of Social Development is working with the local Social workers to do what is right and in the best interest of the kids within the legal framework,” says Potts.
On two occasions prior to this interview, People’s Post had approached the occupants. Both times the children were present.
Lewis says: “All children – whether they live on the streets or within formal structures – are protected by the Children’s Act. So where they are deemed to be in need of care protection (as defined in the Children’s Act) social workers will intervene. We have found that many children who beg on the streets, do in fact have homes.”
“They often work on the streets during the afternoon to collect money or food and return to their homes in the evening,” Lewis continues.
“Based on the outcome of individual assessments and the child’s specific needs, they may be placed in child and youth care centres.
“However, the institutionalisation of children is generally a last resort, as a family environment – alternative family caregivers, foster care, safety parents – is considered preferable,” she says.
So disheartened by seeing the circumstances of the children, Chanquin had been approached by residents wanting to take the children for the day.
he says.
Potts has been aware of this situation, with the group having moved all over the area since October last year.
“I have stopped on a number of occasions to engage with them. They may be living on the street, but they are not homeless. Their parents live in the nearby area. I have logged this matter with the City’s Street People’s Unit,” he says.
“I as ward councillor am intent on ensuring that no one sleeps on the street in my ward and call on residents to log any known incidents as a C3 service request and to send me the reference number so it could be systematically followed up.”
Both Anderson and Steenbok admit to being drug users and say they want to get help.
Steenbok says he fell on hard times and has been on the streets for the past six years.
To survive, they stand at the local shop, or do small garden jobs to make an income, says Steenbok.
Potts says they have been offered alternate accommodation, however not being able to stay together has been an issue, along with needing to get help with their addiction, first.
Help in both regards has been offered.
“The law does not allow for us to simply forcibly remove the likes of these so we are acting within the ambit of the law to ensure that they are elsewhere placed,” says Potts.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis confirms this.
“No one in South Africa may be removed from any structure. Whether that structure be a house, or a tent or even less than a tent – a plastic sheet – no one may be removed anywhere in South Africa without an eviction order that is granted by a high court. In order to even apply to such an eviction order, you need to show that you have provided that person with alternative accommodation at public expense,” says Hill-Lewis.
Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for Law Enforcement, says they have engaged with the occupants of this structure.
“The family has refused relocation. They have received a compliance notice to leave the location within seven days. This only ends next week,” he says.
This has since lapsed. The structure remains.
“Structure/tents may only be removed by law enforcement if it is in the process of being erected or partly built. Structures/tents that have been completed may not be removed. It is therefore very important that the enforcement agencies be notified as quickly as possible,” he says.
“When a structure/tent is erected and occupied (which can go up within minutes) a court order is required to have the structure/tent removed. In this case, the above will apply. A court order will be needed if they don’t comply.”
Dyason confirms that while a shelter does not exist in Mitchell’s Plain, they have been referred elsewhere.
“They are referred to shelters, but it should be noted many people refuse assistance. They cannot be forced to take up these offers.”
Steenbok says they will accept help.
“The people rented out the house we were staying. That’s why I ended up here. I did not have anywhere to go,” he says.
“The Government must help me find a place so that I can have a better life for me and my children.”
There are currently four adults living in this structure, estimated to be around 3m by 5m, made of tyres, cloth, cardboard, bits of metal sheeting, plastic and other waste materials.
“My concern is not so much for the adults, they can see to themselves. I am concerned for the children. The residents and neighbours know about them, they bring them food, but how do we know if these children are eating, and if they have what they need? It is moving into winter now,” says Chanquin.
“Anyone can come in here and use their drugs. This is a safety issue beyond anything else.”
People’s Post approached the Mitchell’s Plain Police Station on matters of arrests, drug confiscations, safety concerns, the claim of criminal charges against anyone removing the children and other matters. They did not wish to comment.
“Homelessness is not a problem per say, drug abuse is however the cause thereof. Until we acknowledge this, we will forever be assuming to deal with this problem in the ward and beyond,” says Potts.
They are by no means homeless, says Potts, with parents living in the area, says Potts.
“Again, I am appealing to residents to not keep them comfortable by simply feeding them all the time. The underlying crime-related challenges grow deep as this eventually becomes the only way to survive and feed their drug habit. Substance Use Disorders as many know is my field of expertise, given my previous vocational placement.
“Know that it’s never just about getting rid of the problem, but rather to ensure that we help them transition from this horrible debilitating dependency toward a more healthier fulfilled life through proper treatment thereof.”
- People who suspect abuse or neglect of a child can report it to their nearest DSD office, a designated child protection organisation, or the police. They can also report via the DSD toll free number on 0800 220 250.
