Activists have warned the proposed amendments would criminalise homelessness and increase the powers of law enforcement officials, making the arrest of the homeless much easier. The proposed amendments included the removal of any obstruction, arrest of a person, who commits an offence in terms of the by-law, and the power to arrest someone may only be exercised in respect of a contravention of section 2(3)(m) if the person has refused to accept an offer of alternative shelter. The proposed amendments are open for public comment until the end of June.