Drug dealing in the vicinity of Ballito Village by the sea has reached alarming proportions, to a point where residents are brazenly approached by dealers offering them drugs – even while they are enjoying meals in a restaurant.

Business owners and employees working at the peaceful part of town, expressed their concern to the Courier about their and clients’ safety should turf wars come into play in the absence of early intervention and strong law enforcement.

Preferring not to be named for fear of reprisal, the people in the precinct said police do on occasion arrest dealers, but the next day they are back on the streets doing business.

“They walk around freely and approach people as if they are selling sweets. It is very bad, especially during weekends,” said one businessman.

“Walking to my shop I was openly approached by a dealer offering me ‘good coke’.”

A woman who works at one of the businesses said given the situation, she feels compelled to stay on guard in her car to ensure no one approaches her teenage daughter and her friends when they visit restaurants.

“With Rage around the corner and with this going on, I’m concerned,” she said.

Ballito Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Morné Steffens confirmed drug dealing was a major problem.

“The Neighbourhood Watch and CPF patrollers have frequently been witness to drug dealings taking place at a well-known nightclub in the old village. We have also had complaints about two young local guys selling to underaged kids between a garage and the office centre next to it on Ballito Drive, but the owner has since blocked off the stairs which seems to have eradicated the problem there,” said Steffens.

He said the KwaDukuza crime prevention unit recently arrested a Congolese national during an undercover operation at a car park in the village.

“I have also received reports of a vehicle parking at Zen Park selling drugs. People drive up to the vehicle, exchange cash for drugs and leave drive-through style.”

As much as Steffens agreed not much was done to curb the problem, he acknowledged police had manpower challenges with so many other more serious crimes to attend to.

“That is exactly why the Neighbourhood Watch and CPF patrols were introduced four years ago, to assist Saps and the KwaDukuza municipality.

“Captain Vinny Pillay has been instrumental in arranging operations in this area at night involving Saps, security companies, CPFs and the Neighbourhood Watch where an arrest had been made two weeks ago and another the following week,” Steffens said.

In his opinion, the only way to eradicate the drug dealing problem was through the public being the eyes and ears of the community and reporting the perpetrators.

This can be done at Umhlali Saps at 032 947 9900 (one can remain anonymous), or incidents can be reported to the Ballito Neighbourhood Watch website on www.ballitonw.org.za.

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