Father reveals his family’s agony
“The visibly distraught father told me that his son told him where he was getting drugs."
The father of a recovering drug addict told the ward 118 councillor, Clr Mike Spadino, that he does not wish for any family to go through what his family has gone through.
Clr Spadino said the father, who did not want to be named, said his two sons were staying in the Bruma area when one of them started using drugs.
“The visibly distraught father told me that his son told him where he was getting drugs. The father said drug houses are mushrooming in areas like Bruma, Kensington, Cyrildene, Malvern, Bertrams and Bez Valley,” said Clr Spadino.
The father did not report the matter to the police.
“The man’s son told him the police know about all these drug houses and drug dealers, but they are not doing anything about it. He said he confronted the drug dealers about the allegations. I would not encourage anyone to confront suspected criminals because it can be dangerous. Taking the law into your hands may land you in jail. I know some people do not have confidence in the police but we need to make them do their job by reporting any crimes to them,” said Clr Spadino.
Clr Spadino said the father has since informed him his son was in a rehabilitation facility.
“The son has almost completed his rehabilitation programme. The father aims to prevent other parents from having similar problems. He hopes to stop other parents from having to go through the same agony,” he said.
Clr Spadino said he was once offered drugs in the Bruma area.
“I was conducting a walk-about in my ward when drug sellers approached me. I called the JPMD and they searched the area but the men had fled. I also did not have any proof. But since then, SAPS and JMPD officers are monitoring the area. They just need information to act effectively,” said Clr Spadino.
The Cleveland SAPS spokesperson, Constable Mpho Mashakane, urged the community to come forward with information about drug dealers.
“In the past few months we have confiscated lots of drugs found during stop-and-search operations. For us to win this scourge we need the community to come forward with any information they have about drugs in the area. If we can get detailed information about the drug dealers in the area, that will help us a lot. Let us join hands and rid our streets of drugs,” she said.
Those who have information about any crime can call the station on 011 677-5700 or Crime Stop on 0860 10111. Alternatively, SMS information to Crime Line on 32211,
Const Mashakane said she can also be contacted by email at MashakaneMP@saps.gov.za for any information.
