HIGHVELD – Disgruntled residents have lambasted the police for arresting members of the amaGorilla Forum who were raiding homes of suspected drug dealers in the area.
Police arrested 42 forum members in eMbalenhle on Thursday, 4 April, on various charges, including malicious damage to property, theft and intimidation.
This came after the members of the forum raided the houses of alleged drug dealers and confiscated what they claim were drugs on Monday and Tuesday, 1 and 2 April.
Mr Ashley Dubazana, chairman of the forum, said the community is tired of the drugs killing their brothers and sisters, not only in Evander, but also in eMbalenhle.
The police apparently were with the amaGorillas at noon on Tuesday and even arrested some of the alleged drug dealers who, according to Mr Dubazana, were later seen walking free in the streets of Evander.
“We asked the police for the charge sheets, but they could not provide it.
“They never opened cases, because we took the law out of their hands,” said Mr Dubazana.
He alleged that the Nigerian drug dealers and the police are in cahoots.
The forum members confiscated items from an alleged drug dealer’s house in Munchen Road and burnt it in front of Evander Police Station that Tuesday night.
According to Mr Dubazana, the police said those items were not drugs, but food.
“I would like to see them eat this food,” he said.
Members of AfriForum were also present that day.
They received a call in the afternoon from the police asking for assistance.
Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtsweni, heard about the uproar after her bodyguards clashed with the forum members on Wednesday, 3 April.
The forum blocked a road in Ext 5, eMbalenhle, stopped the convoy and took some of vehicles’ keys.
They did however, apologise, claiming they were unaware it was the premier’s motorcade.
They apparently thought it was foreign national drug lords coming for revenge.
Upon hearing this, Ms Mtsweni convened a meeting with Brig Sifiso Cele, Secunda Cluster Commander.
Meetings were held at eMbalenhle Police Station and Evander Police Station, but the police could not produce the necessary documentation.
Ms Mtsweni was not satisfied with the answers she received, and reported it to the provincial commander.
Mr Zibonelo Mngcwango, spokesman of the premier, said the premier was in eMbalenhle to campaign for the ANC when the incident happened.
He said Ms Mtsweni was happy that the residents were fighting crime and said she is following up on the matter to get all the facts.
The unhappy members of amaGorilla Forum picketed outside the Evander Police Station on Friday, 5 April to demand the release of their members.
They accused police of brutality and torture, because some policemen were brutal and assaulted them during the arrest.
A forum member who wants to remain anonymous, claimed the police burst into his house and demanded cell phones which they dropped into a bag and poured water over it.
“They know that we have evidence against them and that is why they destroyed our phones.
“We hope justice will be served.
“We are shocked that they accuse us of looting while they were present during the raid.”
The forum members alleged that some cops threatened to kill them if they forwarded any of the video footage incriminating the police.
The forum intends to ask the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to investigate the local police.
Sgt Sibusiso Mbuli, Evander Police spokesman, denied the allegations and said the police did everything by the book.
“It is our duty to enforce the law.”
He said the members were arrested, because several cases were opened.
“We welcome the community’s desire to work with the police, however it must be done properly. We will continue to fight crime in our area.”
The arrested forum members appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 8 April. They have been remanded in custody, pending the investigation.
They will again appear in court on Monday, 15 April.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/135940/40-arrested-raided-houses-alleged-drug-dealers-evander/
