Cops accused of protecting pimps
Residents and other affected parties have had enough of the drugs, crime and prostitution in Sunnyside, and on Saturday marched to the Sunnyside station to demand police to do more.
Sunnyside police have been accused of protecting pimps behind prostitution in several city streets.
“You must start arresting these pimps. We know that some pimps are wearing a blue uniform and we are here to expose them,” African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) Tshwane chairperson Lesego Makhubela said during a recent protest march in Sunnyside.
More than 80 people marched from the Pretoria art museum in Arcadia, ending at the police station in Leyds Street. The streets they passed included Francis Baard, Beckett, Pretorius, Leyds, Stanza Bopape and Hamilton.
The residents, with the support of the tripartite alliance in Tshwane, demanded stronger police action against drugs, human trafficking and prostitution in the area.
Addressing the gathering at the police station, Makhubela accused police of only arresting the prostitutes, who he said were actually victims. These women had been forced into a life of dependency and drugs by the pimps who controlled them.
Makhubela accused police of protecting the interests of foreigners who “messed up the country” and demanded that police did what was expected of them. He said the ANCYL would march to the police station every weekend if police failed to arrest the pimps.
Sunnyside station commander Brigadier Nhlakanipho Mthembu accepted a memorandum from the protesters, informing them that the police had noted their grievances.
The police were working with the local community policing forum and other law enforcement agencies to fight crime in the area. He sought to assure the marchers that police were committed to serving the community and urged residents to report any criminal activity.
“We have made it very clear to our members that they should do their job with loyalty.”
Mthembu said police had arrested several drug dealers in the past few months. Since April last year, six policemen had been dismissed for their involvement in criminal activity.
Mthembu said organised crime was behind drug dealing and prostitution in the area.
“We, therefore, need to work with the national and provincial police as these criminals often entered the country through airports. Our country is being invaded by people who come for the wrong reasons, like drug dealing and prostitution,” Mthembu said.
The MMC for health and social development, Eulenda Mabusela, also took part in the march, saying the police in Sunnyside needed to act against substance abuse. Sunnyside was a hotbed of drug-related crimes, human trafficking and prostitution, he said.
Also taking part was SA Students Congress regional secretary Lungile Ntshangase, who said many people came to the city to study, but had to deal with negative influences in society.
“Drugs do not only affect addicts, but society as well. Addicts are not scared of mugging and hurting a pregnant woman on the street in order to get money for a fix,” he said.
For more community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free breaking news update.
