PICS: Has the wetland in Witkoppen Ext 6 turned into a ‘drugland’?
WITKOPPEN PARK – The councillor added that they had found clear evidence of drug use in the area.
Displaced people have turned a wetland in Witkoppen Ext 6, opposite Witkoppen Park, into their home and some are alleged to be dealing in drugs.
The land is owned by City Parks and Zoo. The Fourways Review joined Ward 94 councillor, David Foley and a few members of the community on a visit to the area last week.
Foley said, “Seeing that these vagrants are [allegedly] dealing in drugs, it comes with a possible influence on children in the area as they might be selling to them. This also increases the chances of violence [among displaced people].”
The councillor added that they had found clear evidence of drug use in the area. “We found used tin-foil, empty small-size plastic bags known as ‘bankies’ with white residue and straws, which the vagrants possibly use to get high.”
He said there were about 40 displaced people living on the land and appealed to Metro police and police to regularly patrol and arrest people in possession of drugs.
Foley suggested that City Parks should put up signs stating that the wetland is a designated park and by law, no one should be there after 6pm. “In this way, the police and Metro police can arrest people for trespassing, if after 6pm. I am also engaging with all [City] departments to rectify this situation.”
One of the community members on the visit who wished to remain anonymous said the displaced people’s dwellings were well concealed.
“You wouldn’t know that somebody was living here as it is hard to go through but we once used a drone to see what was behind these thick bushes,” she said.
“We could see how they build their homes.”
The spokesperson for City Parks and Zoo, Jenny Moodley said they would investigate how they could work with Metro police and park rangers to maintain a visible security presence in the area.
“We will liaise with the invasive plant control team to remove the overgrowth that is attracting displaced people who use the site illegally,” she said
Moodley added that residents were encouraged to call
011 375 5911 to register any complaints regarding security in Witkoppen Ext 6.
Spokesperson for Metro police, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said that they would organise for their drug squad to raid the area and Douglasdale Police Station’s communications officer, Captain Mpho Tshetlhane added that they were looking into the matter.
