Public Safety MMC begins crusade to tackle Midrand’s drug problem
MMC for Public Safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has vowed that an intelligence-based approach will hit the streets of Midrand, tackling illegal sheebens, spaza shops, and salons, in an effort to topple these drug dens.
Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has vowed to raid all drug dens in Region A, including in the Midrand CBD, Ivory Park, and Rabie Ridge.
Tshwaku, who was part of the arrest of three suspected drug dealers with a staggering R200 000 worth of crystal meth in Halfway House, said drug dealers were running amok in the area.
He said, various operations, including Operation NomakanjaniManjeNamhlanje (No matter what, it will happen now and today), will be mounted to nab those who are still dealing in drugs.
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Tshwaku said, following his visit to Midrand, that he is not happy with several drug rates, as some of the salons at Midrand taxi ranks harbour various types of drugs.
“Firstly, we would like to apologise to the residents of Region A, especially in Ivory Park. With the limited resources, we had to focus on areas like Diepsloot and the inner city, to ensure by-law enforcement when crime was high in the two areas. We had to take a focus-based approach to deal with that crime. Midrand CBD is no different, as it is also a high crime area.
And once a crime is committed in the CBD, then [the criminals] disperse to the nearby townships, such as Ivory Park and Rabie Ridge, for hiding,” said Tshwaku.
He said they would be doing this visible policing operation with intelligence and officials from his office. They will target various businesses, including unlicensed shebeens, scrap yards, and spaza shops, looking for legit permits.
Tshwaku said they will also be working with Crime Watch and the Home Affairs Department to tackle undocumented immigrants.
“There is a lot of noise from Carslwald as well. We will be coming there, focusing on nightlife to ensure that they follow their liquor license times. There has been a misalignment between us and Citizen Relations and Unit Management (CRUM). First, CRUM needs to oversee and inspect, and if they find something wrong, then, we will be able to enforce. They need to, first, be issued with a notice. Then, should the notice not be successful, we can enforce. We are working with CRUM to synchronise the system,” he added.
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He urged the community to stand up and fight the mushrooming of illegal salons and spaza shops, who he believes are used to clean drug money.
“You know that salons are drug dens. We have got intel that some of those salons, the majority of them, are used as cleaning systems for [drug] money. People of Midrand… Stop whining and become the solution to the drug problem,” concluded Tshwaku.
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