With regards to M Barnabas’ letter The police are doing nothing, published in the 10 July edition of the News:
The WRCBT declared war on the drug and prostitute problem four years ago. We have monthly meetings with the police, Mogale City Local Municipality, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Social Development, CPF members and other relevant stakeholders, and we have achieved a lot in this time – for example 1 600 illegal immigrants have been deported, several arrests have been made and convictions. We have had numerous successes.
The demand and supply is a magnitude problem in our area – which means we are living in a community where parents have lost control over their addicted children, so the demand is great and there always will be suppliers. Rehabs are full –and rehabs are just too expensive for the normal person to afford and the demand is just to big for the state to help.
The public make statements that nothing is being done about the problem that we face every day.
We are highly informed of the problem in the Sivewright Street area, also known as “Little Nigeria”. The SAPS now has taken the stance. They are targeting and tracing the landlords of the flats and houses in that area, as they are rented out to these illegals and it is a growing concern as they are harbouring the prostitutes and drug lords.
SAPS will close down these houses and flats – but it is a slow process.
Raids are being done and arrests are made. The SAPS works very hard on this problem – but yes, the problem is far greater and needs the help of the entire community.
We appeal to the public to report all sightings of dealings with drugs and so forth. The more we know, the more we can do.
We partically appeal to parents to be aware of the activities of their children and to seek help as soon as a problem is identified. Schools also must become more involved and aware of this growing problem.
You can report it to the Drug Crime Line (083 399 4544, a sms line only); all cases are taken up by the police and investigated.
