Several cases of crime linked to substance abuse reported
Police in the rural parts of Nkomazi are very concerned about the abuse of drugs like nyaope and marula-based alcohol, as this had led to serious crimes such as murder and rape over the past weekend.
KAMHLUSHWA – Several suspects whom KaMhlushwa police arrested over the weekend were found drunk and admitted to consuming marula beer or “amarula”.
Around 02:00 on Saturday, a drunken fight broke out in Langeloop and a man was stabbed to death.
According to police information, a group of people had been hanging out at the house of people known to sell amarula. Conflict arose and the group started to disperse. However, the two suspects and the victim and his friends came across one another and a fight broke out, resulting in a fatal stabbing.
Police managed to arrest one of the suspects, who is still in custody, and are tracing the other one.
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In the early hours of Monday, a man in his late 30s raped a mentally ill woman in her late 20s. According to police the man was drunk.
He was arrested and scheduled to appear in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
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Police also arrested a man on Thursday morning when they found him in possession of 9mm ammunition as well as a bag of dagga. He is currently in custody until his next court appearance.
KaMhlushwa SAPS station commander, Capt Mzwandile Nyambi, expressed his concern over the abuse of amarula. He said it is amarula season and a number of cases, including domestic violence, were reported as having been incited by alcohol abuse.
Capt Magonseni Nkosi, from Tonga SAPS also mentioned a growing problem relating to nyaope use.
He explained that more and more people seemed to be turning from traditional dagga use to the dangerous street drug.
Known by several names in different regions of the country, nyope is a mix of dagga and heroin, as well as other substances such as antiretrovirals, rat poison and cocaine.
It is highly addictive and users end up needing to smoke more to get high. They also tend to become violent in order to get their next fix.
It reduces both heart and lung function and overdoses can prove fatal.
The high can last between two and four hours, but withdrawal symptoms are quite severe and include body aches, anxiety and hot and cold flushes. Due to the fact that it is mixed with toxic substances, side-effects like skin diseases, infections and lowered immunity can manifest.
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Nkosi stated that nyaope abuse is increasing among unemployed youth, especially in the Naas area. To get their hands on more of the drug, they become involved in criminal activities.
He urged community members to come forward with information on dealers and manufacturers.
He also reminded communities that smoking dagga in the privacy of your own home is allowed due to a High Court ruling, although legislation has not yet been put in place.
However, you are not allowed to sell dagga, smoke outside your home or transport dagga and will in these cases still be arrested by police.
READ: You can use dagga at home, rules the WC High Court
Malelane SAPS victim empowerment centre volunteer and trauma counsellor Amanda de Swardt cautioned people who want to smoke dagga, that dealers can lace it with something else.
“Dagga smokers can then end up addicted to nyaope or other substances. Dealers benefit from getting their customers more addicted, as this means more money in their pockets. It is difficult for people to know whether what they are buying is pure,” she said.
