The efforts of the SAPS to eradicate drugs in the streets of eMalahleni is yielding results, thanks to the cooperation from community members and the Crime Prevention Forum (CPF), with eight arrests having been made since the start of May.
This follows the 42 suspects that were apprehended for the possession of drugs last month.
From Wednesday, May 1 SAPS has been all hands on deck conducting patrols and responding to tip offs which they received from community members.
Captain Eddie Hall, communications spokesperson for Witbank SAPS, said contrary to the old believe that the drug hot spot in eMalahleni is the CBD, they are seeing more cases of drug dealers going into quiet residential areas to do their dealings now.
“In the past two months we have noticed an increase in the number of dealings that happen in more quiet areas in the town” he said. “In the past people would have to go to the CBD by the park area to buy their drug of choice, but dealers are now taking the drugs to people’s homes”.
The common and most popular drug in the streets of eMalahleni is dagga Capt Hall confirmed.
“The most common drug especially with youngsters is dagga and we see that when we conduct school raids. With adults we are seeing a great number of heroin cases” he noted.
However Capt Hall also pointed to a new drug concoction making rounds in the streets called “Nayope” which has a similar sound to Nyaope, but is completely different.
“Nayope is a combination of heroin and dagga that people mix together before injecting themselves with it.”
The Drug Fight Project was a respond by SAPS to eMalaleni’s drug problem which was declared in 2014.
Capt Hall thanks the ongoing support they receive from CPF officers and the community.
“I further encourage the community to report suspicious actions they see happening in their neighbourhoods.”
According to Hall these actions include but are not limited to the loitering of individuals or cars with no clear purpose.
For tip offs the public is encouraged to use the National crime stop number which is: 08600 10111 where they can remain anonymous if they choose to and can ripe financial rewards should their information proof positive.
