A woman bathing on the pavement outside a doctor’s rooms, with her belongings spread across Bulwer Street, has become a daily reality for businesses and residents in Pietermaritzburg’s city centre. WhenThe Witness visited the area last week, the woman had set up a small campsite on the pavement, complete with blankets and a suitcase. On seeing reporters, she began changing her clothes in full view of everyone.
She refused to speak to this reporter. Business owners along Bulwer Street say scenes like this have become increasingly common, with sex workers camping, sleeping and bathing outside their premises throughout the day, despite repeated complaints to authorities. The street is home to doctors’ rooms, physiotherapy and psychology practices, insurance and legal offices, as well as beauty salons.
Businesses say clients have raised concerns and that efforts to have sex workers removed have failed, with the situation worsening over time. Other sex workers, who spoke toThe Witnesson condition of anonymity, said the woman living on the pavement had recently returned from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility and had no accommodation. “We have tried speaking to her about getting help or finding a place to stay, but she gets upset with us and there is nothing more we can do,” one said.
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Residents say the impact extends beyond business hours. Local resident Mary Leslie said arguments, fighting and the breaking of bottles often disturbs the neighbourhood late at night. One of the women lives on the pavement and hangs her washing on our fence whenever she wants. On one occasion, she even approached my husband and tried to get into his car because she wanted a client.
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