KRAAIFONTEIN
Woensdag, 24 Februarie 2021 Tel: 021 910 6500 | e-pos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za
Sheldon Olivier says he constantly has to endure harassment from security officers and police. Pictured with him is his mother who stays with him and his wife at the makeshift camp along the fence of the Kraaifontein municipal offices. PHOTO: THABANG KUAHO
HOMELESS MAN: ‘WE CAN’T LIVE IN PEACE’
Man claims harassment THABANG KUAHO @thab_journo
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homeless man from Windsor Park says he is unable to live in peace as he constantly has to endure harassment from security and law enforcement officials. Sheldon Olivier (34) has set up camp along the fence of the Kraaifontein municipal offices on Mildred Street where he has been living with his wife and mother for nine years. Olivier says he fears the worst could happen to him or his family next time officials visit. “Most days are peaceful, but others are a
constant reminder of my social standing,” Olivier says. “The visits I often get from Titanium Securitas officers and the police in the area are often unpleasant and sometimes too close to becoming physical.” During these episodes, Olivier says he gets threatened with arrest. “It saddens me that people who are supposed to protect us would treat people like this. It is proof that those with a higher social standing often look down on people like myself, as if we are less than human.” Olivier says he was once arrested for reasons unknown to him.
Titanium Securitas’s owner Johan Marx rubbishes the allegations, calling them baseless and without substance. Marx says the security company has never had an encounter with Olivier until Tuesday 29 September last year. “On that particular day, our officers were approached by building contractors doing renovation work at the municipal offices and stated that there was a person who was stealing their equipment. “Upon investigation the alleged perpetrator was identified as Olivier,” Marx explains. “When our officers approached him to let
him know of the complaint, he became defensive and aggressive,” he explains further. Marx says Olivier had a knife and attempted to stab the responding officer in the chest. He was unsuccessfully restrained by the officer. “While busy detaining the suspect, his dog bit the officer on the leg.” Marx says the dog is known to attack people on Olivier’s command. He further says the security company’s officers try to detain suspects using minimal force, as in this case. V To page 3