Gardens residents seek protection against local couple

Gardens residents have taken out protection orders against a vagrant couple who have allegedly been harassing them with loud, drunk arguments, defecating on their stoeps, and sometimes copulating in public. 

Speaking to the Atlantic Sun on Tuesday, October 8, the couple, Edmond Jacobs and his partner Primrose Godongwana,said that following the accusations, they would like to clear their names and then leave the area. They have to appear in court in December and January next year. 

"We have fights with each other, but we don't have anything against the residents. I would like to clear my name," said Ms Gondongwana. 

The couple refuted any of the indecencies they were accused of and claimed that they were being harassed.

"We have respect. We are decent people, all we do is help people park, watch their cars, and sometimes we drink alcohol. We will go," said Ms Godongwana. 

Mr Jacobs said that they only wanted employment to put something on the table. 

"I don't have a cent. I can't eat. I must scratch in the bins, and that is not right," he said. 

On Monday, October 6, the chairman of the Community Police Forum (CPF), Marc Truss, told  Atlantic Sun that the residents were in a terrible situation but that they were working with the authorities.

"They've been such a menace for quite some time and a nuisance to the neighbourhood," he said. 

Mr Truss said that social interventions had been presented to the couple, but they refused to go into a place of safety. 

"They just don't want help. The residents have played their part in collecting evidence - video and photographs to help support their case," he said.

"We must work together to facilitate something to help get them off the streets. The residents have banded together and now, with the rest of the authorities, we must try as much as we can".

During last week's meeting, he said that the CPF's attendees should step up and rally to help the residents. 

On Thursday, October 2 a resident attended Cape Town Central CPF's monthly meeting for the second time, the first being Thursday, September 4,  appealing for a collective approach to dealing with the couple.

A restraining order, also known as a protection order or domestic violence interdict, is a court order issued to prevent an abuser from harassing, threatening, or harming a victim.

If the order is violated, the offender may be arrested, and contravening the order can lead to a fine or imprisonment. 

Last month, nine Gardens residents attended the monthly CPF meeting to secure more help from the police, who either came too late or at all. 

The couple has been in the area for close to a decade, but more so when the residents report their antics, they get personal, refuse social services and assistance to be rehabilitated, and eventually return home.

The residents refused to be identified, fearing further victimisation. 

A resident said during the meeting that they were prepared to see the process through but not willing to put their families' lives in danger. 

The resident said her neighbours were being terrorised every night by the vagrants' fights.

Mr Truss said: "We must work together to facilitate something to help get them off the streets. The residents have banded together, and now with the rest of the authorities, we must try as much as we can".

During last week's meeting, he said that the CPF's attendees should step up and rally to help the residents. 

Francine Higham, councillor for Ward 77, said that it has been a very difficult situation for everyone involved - the couple, nearby residents and the wider community.

"My understanding is that the couple arrived in the area around 2020 and have been living on the streets behind the Gardens Shopping Centre since then," she said.

Over the past few years, the City of Cape Town's Street People Programme, together with their non-government organisation partners, have made repeated efforts to offer assistance and alternative accommodation.

"I have personally helped facilitate placements at our safe space shelters, although they remained there only for a few months. These offers of support remain open should they wish to accept them," she said.

Ms Higham said that the ongoing anti-social behaviour - including fighting, shouting, and other disturbances - has continued to impact nearby residents and has led to ongoing by-law enforcement actions.

"Both SAPS and law enforcement are aware of the situation and continue to monitor it closely. However, for more serious legal steps to be taken, a formal case would need to be opened at the time a criminal offence occurs," she said.

Ms Higham said that the matter remains complex and sensitive, and further complicated by issues of substance abuse and, at times, well-intentioned but counterproductive community assistance.

"We remain committed to continued engagement and to offering help wherever possible," she said.