GMM Law Enforcement clamp down on vagrants, drug dealers and homeless in Secunda
In another operation the night before, vagrants and their belongings were also removed at the bus stop near Secunda Mall, the same bridge near Hoërskool Secunda, the green strip near OK Foods, Highveld Ridge Primary School and the open field near the Roadhouse.
In a joint operation on April 13, the law enforcement department of Govan Mbeki Municipality, supported by Night Guard Security, Imojoe International Security, DA Mading Risk Management and Tactical Response Unit, CPW and GMM Waste Management took to the streets of Secunda in a clean-up effort of vagrants, homeless people and drug dealers.
The clean-up effort began near the traffic circle entrance of Secunda Mall and the taxi pick-up point, where vagrants trading illegally were removed and their goods were confiscated.
The team then moved to a pedestrian bridge located near Hoërskool Secunda. Law enforcement found a man in the possession of nyaope.
A homeless woman working as a prostitute had her belongings confiscated and was forced to leave the area on a warning.
The team then made their way to the green strip area near Total Pit-Stop and Highveld Ridge Primary School.
Suspected drug dealers were searched and one dealer was arrested for having dagga. The team then headed out to GMM’s technical yard area where homeless people are reported to stay.
Upon arrival, no homeless person was found, but possessions which they had left behind, were confiscated.
The team then proceeded to the CBD taxi rank area where vagrants who were trading illegally were removed and their goods were confiscated. In all, eight people were arrested.
“The illegal traders have since been released and will be fined when they come to collect their belongings,” said Donald Green, media spokesperson for GMM.
He said that they will be charged according to the municipal by-laws.
“Those caught selling dagga and suspected of selling drugs, were handed over to Secunda Police,” said Green.
In another operation on April 12, the Freedom Front + took hands with AfriForum, MarvCorp security company, the sector police, Secunda Police and the law enforcement of GMM and also removed the vagrants and their belongings at the bus stop near Secunda Mall, the same bridge near Hoërskool Secunda, the green strip near OK Foods and Highveld Ridge Primary School and the open field near the Roadhouse.
However, the next day some of the vagrants were back in their usual spots.
“I was shocked to see they were back the next day,” said Aranda Nel-Buitendag, VF+ councillor.
