Commuters using the Likoni Ferry channel have expressed their disappointment with the increasing number of beggars stationed at the channel.
The commuters say that the problem has moved to a new level and are now asking the relevant authorities to step in and move the beggars to a different location.
The busy channel, which is a key connection point for tourists heading to and from South Coast, has now been turned into a begging zone with the residents claiming the presence of beggars has created an unprecedented shame to the locals.
They further stated that some of the beggars are being used by known people to solicit for money.
“This is a business that seems to be on the rise here. Some known individuals are using poor residents to beg after which they are paid at the end of the week,” said Sofia Hamisi, a resident of Likoni.
“We demand that they stop this barbaric act or else we will name and shame them.”
She further said that sometimes crossing the channel is difficult since one can trample over the beggars.
Her claims were echoed by Samuel Kaingu who also said that the trend has been on the rise in the past few months.
He noted that at least every one week, there is an additional beggar joining the fray.
“This case is on a steady rise here. Every week we see a new beggar,” he said.
Joseph Charo claimed that the menace should be blamed on the government which has apparently neglected the poor who have since resorted to begging.
“The government institutions should bear all the blame because of their negligence,” he claimed.
To the majority of commuters, the inconvenience that is posed by the presence of the beggars at the channel is unimaginable.
They are now expecting a long-lasting solution to be enforced in order to prevent the Likoni Ferry channel from being turned into beggars' haven.