Nyaope rules Umjindi

The cheap and highly addictive street drug, nyaope, is growing in popularity in Umjindi and MEC for health and social development, Candith Mashego-Dlamini regards it as a serious problem.

Addressing community members at Extension-11 last Tuesday, Mashego-Dlamini, who was accompanied by the local executive mayor Cllr Lazaros Mashaba, and various government stakeholders, said the drug was contributing to increased crime and domestic violence in Umjindi.

“These kids steal everything and from anyone to fund their drug habit. Using nyaope if you are a girl can lead to many things. Once you become addicted, you fall into a cycle of stealing and selling your body to make money to buy it. Its use in Umjindi is already an enormous problem and is only getting worse,” said Mashego-Dlamini.

It is reportedly rife in schools in the Barberton circuit. Fights frequently erupt and classes are disrupted.

A security guard at M’Africa community clinic at Emjindini, said that a day seldom passed without a learner being admitted to receive stitches.

Barberton Times has been informed that nyaope, whoonga (sometimes spelt wunga) or bomkon is a cheap drug and costs R20 to R30 per packet (or hit). Unconfirmed reports claim that it first made an appearance in Umjindi in 2010 and has since quickly spread to all sections.

Mashego-Dlamini said the drug is a concoction of heroin, dagga and anything else the dealers can lay their hands on.

“I have heard that the drug is smoked, usually with tobacco or dagga. They add anything, from rat poison, antiretrovirals and whatever ‘white’ substance they can find,” she said.

The theme for the event was “Make health your new high in life, not drugs”.

Mashaba acknowledged that Umjindi was ranked high in drug usage. “An addicted person’s cell tissues cannot function well. I urge those taking drugs to stop because it disturbs their minds from functioning,” said Mashaba.

Some of the community members blamed the police for the deteriorating problem. They told Mashego-Dlamini that the criminal syndicates were involved in peddling the drug and it was difficult to fight the problem because often local police colluded with the criminals.

“We are aware who the syndicates are, but it is difficult to stop them because they are working with the police. Some police officers are involved in the syndicates and even use state vehicles to sell drugs. Our police don’t do anything. You tell them where people are selling drugs and the next day those people are back again on the streets,” said a parent.