IDENTIFIED as a drug den and a storage for suspected stolen property, a building at 44 Lancers Road, popularly known as Marikana, is again under the spotlight.

Marikana partially houses residents who have illegally occupied the abandoned building for years, as well as the homeless. Before the building blocks were invaded, it was a former base for the KZN Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS). Over the weekend, Durban Metro Police, while conducting an operation on Che Guevara Road and Warwick Triangle precinct, identified two suspected drug dealers supplying drugs to the homeless.

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“The suspects were discreetly followed, leading our members to an abandoned building at the corner of Lancers Road and University Lane, commonly referred to as Marikana, which was being used as a drug storage and distribution point.

“After gathering sufficient intelligence, a planned and co-ordinated operation was executed. This resulted in the arrest of two male suspects identified as drug dealers,” said Durban Metro Police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu.

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Scores of red and white heroin capsules and crack cocaine were reportedly seized. The two suspects are expected to appear in court this week.

Residents at Marikana include street vendors, students, children, workers and business people. A separate block is occupied by ‘criminal homeless people’. The community has seen a sharp rise in population over the decade due to immigration and newborn children.

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