Arrested for being a champ
Seen by some as a hero, Aimee Nel was jailed on 13 August with a R2 000 charge of damage to property.
Nel’s community efforts were highlighted in the article Suburban Champions, week ending 12 July, but her efforts to clean the streets of Melville have not been welcomed by operators of Adult World on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Main Street.
On 13 August, Nel and her work crew set about cleaning the area she describes as a dark spot in the community. After receiving permission from the owner of an adjacent house, she stenciled “No Drug Dealing/ Loitering” at an alleged notorious drug hot spot, only to receive threats from alleged drug dealers. The signs have subsequently been defaced.
However, her big blunder came when she repainted the wall which surrounds Adult World without the owner’s consent. A complaint was laid against her and a warrant issued for her arrest. On 16 August she turned herself in and was held, but soon after released.
Colonel Michelle Jones of the Brixton Police Station confirmed that Nel was indeed arrested and held for an hour.” The case was thrown out because there were no prospects of successful prosecution. However, the police must pursue every case that is reported, it is not for us to decide if the situation is petty or not,” said Jones.
Nel is undeterred. If anything, it has strengthened her conviction that grime attracts crime. She does intend to take action against Adult World but her major concern is the welfare of Melville.
“We have decided to take our suburb back from grime, decay, crime, sleaze and corruption which has led to the demise of other South African suburbs. We have the power to create a better Melville if we stand together, but I can’t tackle all the issues myself. I will try my best not to get into any trouble because this doesn’t serve my purpose or that of the community,” said Nel.
A man who identified himself as manager of Adult World was contacted for comment, but declined to do so.
