Watch: Durbanville pavement revamp underway at police station

The pavement outside Durbanville police station – known as a “haven” for street people at night – has been restored and beautified with rocks in an initiative by AfriForum.

Residents constantly complained to TygerBurger that they feel unsafe to visit the police station, especially after hours, and to park their vehicles in Louw Street adjacent to where the street people sleep. Residents across the road also complained of being harassed.

The project, which commenced recently, aims to re-establish a garden that was initially planted and maintained by AfriForum last year, says Jurie Ferreira, spokesperson for AfriForum.

“The garden will undergo a transformation with rocks being packed to a higher density to discourage sleeping in the area.

Signs erected

“Signs have been erected on the fence to give notice of the garden refurbishment and inform the public that no loitering or sleeping will be allowed in the flower bed,” he says. AfriForum is hoping on donations of cement to secure the rocks.
AfriForum has worked closely with its neighbourhood watch, the Durbanville CBD Watch and MES, a non-profit organisation for street people, to ensure a smooth transition for the displaced people who used to sleep there, he says.
“The Durbanville CBD Watch is also distributing Mi-Change vouchers to those in need, which can be redeemed for assistance at MES,” Ferreira says.
The project is expected to be completed later this month.

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