Police crack down on suspicious house

Police were out in full force on Thursday following a lead on a house believed to be a drug nest.

“What’s going on,” said a pair of joggers as they passed by the house.

On Thursday, September 10 at least five police vehicles, one Emalahleni law enforcement vehicle and a traffic vehicle were spotted outside a house in Christiaan de Wet Street.

“We received information that the house was being illegally occupied and that drugs were being distributed from the house, a police squad from the crime prevention unit was sent out to access the allegations,” said Sgt David Ratau, police communications.

Police were seen searching the house which is believed to be a drug hotspot, the K9 unit was brought in but no evidence of narcotics was found in the house.

“The house used to be vacant. Then one day a man came and asked who the house belonged to, I told him it belonged to the Department of Public Works and that he should check at Witbank Hospital for answers,” said one of the neighbours, not surprised to see police at the house.
“A few days later the house became occupied by a number of people, but who pays the bills?” he continued.

The owner of the house still needs to be determined, although it is believed to be owned by a government department, the relevant departments have been contacted regarding the house ownership.
After police were done searching the house WITBANK NEWS was able to enter the house and questioned one of its occupants, a woman staying in one of the rooms, who had a child.

“They came in and searched everywhere, I don’t know what they were looking for. The owner of the house went to Johannesburg yesterday and hasn’t come back,” said the woman, who apparently shares the house with another six individuals.”

The house seemed barren and stripped of all valuables bar for the woman’s room.

“Even if he house is illegally occupied, police cannot intervene without the relevant department or homeowner opening a case against them. Once the case is opened though, then we may arrest the individuals for either trespassing, or damage to property, or in some instances burglary,” said Sgt Ratau.

According to Mr Theo van Vuuren, acting municipal manager, the house belongs to Witbank Hospital and the bill is paid up to date. It is just the current bill that is still to be paid. The water usage on the bill is very high though.