SESHEGO – FOLLOWING a recent article in Express on the nyaope use in Seshego increasing, it has emerged that the banned substance has also become problematic amongst many students at institutions of higher learning in the province.

Recent reports from the Mankweng police confirmed there was widespread use of nyaope at the gates of some of these institutions.

Nyaope had also spread to villages around the Mankweng area, according to Mankweng police spokesperson, Const Matimba Malulelke.

Just as reported in Seshego, youths could be seen smoking nyaope openly.

Maluleke said they had arrested suspected nyaope dealers and users in the Mankweng area.

“This matter is very serious and we will not rest until we win the war against nyaope and those who sell it”

“The recent arrests give us the hope that we will successfully curb this scourge. We call on anyone who has information that could lead to more arrests to come forward. We are very concerned because it is young people who use this destructive drug. What is even more worrying is that high school learners are also using it,” Maluleke said.

The deadly mix of dagga and heroin was fast becoming the drug of choice among the youth of South Africa and was replacing dagga, he further said.

Referring to the problem in Seshego, police spokesperson for the area, WO Mothemane Malefo, said the police had decided to monitor the area, and do regular stop and search raids.

“This matter is very serious and we will not rest until we win the war against nyaope and those who sell it. We will be holding consultative forums with community members to discuss this matter. It is not a issue we can deal with alone as the police. It needs a collective approach and we are hoping civil society will play a fundamental role in this regard,” Malefo said.

Both Malefo and Maluleke said that nyaope use was often linked to violent crimes including armed robbery.

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