Cleveland SAPS tackling drugs

The Cleveland SAPS was commended for recording the highest number of drug-related arrests during the last financial year.

The recently-released crime statistics from the SAPS showed that the number of arrests made were the best in 10 years at the Cleveland SAPS precinct.

Mr Mike Spadino, chairperson of the Malvern United Community Forum (MUCF), said the station performed well and hopes police officers continue to crack down on drug dealers.

“Hearing that they made so many arrests was excellent. I know they have had several successes as well since the last financial year. However, more has to be done in the precinct considering how rife drug sales are at the moment,” said Mr Spadino.

Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS station commander, said officers have been doing a “great job”, especially over the past few months in the fight against drugs.

“We would not have achieved so many successes if it was not for the community,” she said.

She added that there are increased patrols and operations to combat drugs in the precinct.

“We have also found there are not as many incidents as there were before of children being caught with drugs. We hope the work we are doing will decrease the number of children getting hooked on drugs,” she said.

Captain Joseph Nzuza, the head of social crime prevention, said police officers often visit schools in the precinct.

“We do surprise visits, conduct searches and educate the children about the danger of taking drugs. We do occasionally find drugs and other items such as weapons on children. If children are caught in possession of these items, we contact and speak to their parents and refer them to the South African National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA). We conduct searches and give advice because of the danger children put themselves in. We have, however, found that the situation is not as bad as it was before in schools,” said Capt Nzuza.

Mr Hector Maluleke, from the Cleveland SAPS Youth Desk, said members are also trying to educate children. “We are working as a team with other authorities. We speak to children, hand out pamphlets and try to put them on the right path,” he said.

Mr Sipho Mthembu, the secretary of the Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF), said members are worried about challenges faced by the youth, such as drugs and alcohol abuse, and are thinking of ways to address the situation in problem areas.