A part of that is keeping drug dealers and drug users off the streets. Altogether 42 arrests have been made during November for drug related crimes to stem the tide of this dangerous pastime.
During the previous week alone Witbank SAPS arrested several suspects for drug related crimes.
On November 26 the SAPS made a big arrest when a patrolling unit spotted a suspicious person next to the road in the Central Business District.
According to reports, the police approached the suspect and searched him. They apparently found seven bags of drugs on him that are estimated to be worth several thousand rand.
On November 29 two drug arrests were made by the SAPS. The first was made by a morning patrol when two officers were driving down Lukin Street at 07:30. They noticed a suspicious man walking down the street. They stopped and searched him and found a bag of dagga in his possession. The drugs were apparently packed inside a zip-lock plastic bag.
At 21:30 a patrol arrested another man who was in possession of a bag of dagga. The arrest was made on the corner of OR Tambo and Louis streets after police searched the suspect.
On November 30 another young man was found with dagga at 13:00.
It is not uncommon for inmates at Paxton Prison to be caught with narcotics or hard drugs. Two guards noticed a suspicious inmate who kept on avoiding the guards when they approached him. He was eventually searched and dagga was found in his possession.
He has been charged with possession of drugs by Witbank SAPS.
Capt Eddie Hall, spokesperson for Witbank SAPS, said that drug related crimes are a priority for the SAPS, especially over the festive season as they have a zero tolerance policy towards drug related crimes.
“Yes we have to arrest him while he is in prison and charge him. We are in partnership with the correctional services to try and keep prisons safe for everyone to serve their sentence,” he said regarding the arrest of the inmate.
There is help to be found if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Contact the South African National Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SANCA) for more assistance from their national office on 011 892 3829 or the eMalahleni branch on 013 656 2370.
