Homeless man Bryan Nkono says that new clothes were taken from him during raids by law enforcement officers.
|||Cape Town - New clothes Bryan Nkono received from a kind stranger so he could attend church were some of the items taken from him during raids by law enforcement officers who routinely remove the belongings of homeless people as part of ongoing operations.
Nkono said he lost his belongings in one of the raids that took place on Monday.
Safety and security mayco member JP Smith said the law enforcement department carried out a sustained operation in the Culemborg area in the CBD after receiving complaints of anti-social behaviour by street people in the area.
"They were removed for trespassing and by-law transgressions such as making fires, hanging up washing and building illegal sheltersand structures."
Smith said between 12 and 15 people were removed from the area on Monday and only waste material that was left behind was taken - not their possessions.
He said no illegal substances were found on anyone during the operation, but "from time to time officials have found drugs and weapons on them".
Nkono said he had his possessions taken and now wants to know how he can get them back.
"They (law enforcement) don't talk to us, they just come and take stuff.
"They just say we must move, they don't say where our things are going."
Nkono said his only possessions were his clothes and a new jacket he recently received from a man who said he wanted him to wear it when he went to church.
"Last month was worse, this time it is better. Sometimes they will come even when you are not here and take your things.
"Once I went to get water and the guy that was left here tried to tell them that I would be back and they must wait for me, but they just took my stuff."
yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za
Cape Argus