Nyaope addict dies after overdose

A 26-year-old notorious “nyaope” addict and dealer who had given the police in Katlehong sleepless nights with his drug-habits, was found dead in Khumalo

Valley after injecting himself with what police believe was an overdose of the drug.

According to the Katlehong SAPS, the man who was popularly known as “Phesha” was also a known “nyaope” dealer and addict.

“He was a regular at the Ramokonopi SAPS’s detention cells, where he was often detained by the police for his drug use and dealings,” said Capt Mega Ndobe, SAPS’s Kathorus Cluster media liaison officer.

Capt Ndobe described “Phesha” as a notorious “nyaope” dealer and addict who was known to the police.

He told Kathorus MAIL that the dead drug addict and dealer was someone who was always in and out of the stations’ detention cells following his numerous arrests by the Katlehong police for his drug habits and dealings.

Kathorus MAIL tried to speak to several local residents in the area about “Phesha’s” drug dealings and death, but drew a blank as very few people were keen to speak about what they knew about the dead man and his drug habits.

“It would be wrong for me to talk about someone I knew very little about, except that he was a known “nyaope” drug dealer and addict,” said Mfaniseni, who refused to give his full names for fear of what he said would be a “negative reprisal” from the dead man’s drug dealing friends and fellow addicts in the neighbourhood.

However, according to Capt Ndobe, “Phesha’s” lifeless body was found slumped on the ground along an adjoining passage in Khumalo Valley with no bleeding or visible physical injuries to his body.

It is believed the man injected himself with a cocktail of different drugs before he slumped to the ground and died.

A young man who gave his name only as, Karabo described “Phesha” as a known and hardened drug addict and dealer in the area.

“I was never his friend or his accomplice, but all I know about him is that he was a “nyaope” addict who also sold the drug to other users. He was always arrested by the Katlehong police for possession and selling the drug,” explained Karabo.

None of the people Kathorus MAIL spoke with knew where and how the dead drug dealer and addict obtained the drugs he abused and sold to other addicts.

“But he was never in short supply and was well known among “nyaope” addicts in the area,” said Mfaniseni.