A group of Nigerian men, protesting against the police, whom they claim suffocated “their brother” and disposed of his body, took their frustration to the streets.
According to the residents, the men stuck several placards with messages telling the police to leave them alone on trees around intersection of Turvey Street and Elston Avenue.
The City Times noticed only one placard stuck to a tree when we visited the area on January 22, and it was not clear what has happened to the others.
Ward 28 Councillor Mary Goby also received complaints about the men breaking bottles in the streets.
“We understand their frustration with the police, but their behaviour is badly affecting the neighbourhood,” Goby said.
She added that sticking placards on the trees is illegal, as it contravenes the bylaws, and it’s even worse when done on living trees.
“They are now destroying this little area,” she said.
Goby also felt sorry for the residents and businesses in the area.
“There are also two schools nearby and we hope it does not spread to them as well,” she said.
Resident Debbie Dosrels said that being terrorised by the Nigerians is not something new.
“They shout and scream; actually, we have been terrorised every single day for a very long time,” she said.
“They are doing illegal things there and are vandalising the whole area.”
Other residents, who commented on www.benonicitytimes.co.za, fail to understand why the Nigerians suddenly feel victimised.
“Why are the Nigerians suddenly victims when, only a few month ago, they were shooting each other in a supposed turf war, frightening the neighbours and selling their ‘wares’ all over the area.
“If the Benoni SAPS did their job, Brixton SAPS wouldn’t have to come in and help them.”
The commentator alleges that they kidnap and enslave young girls and prostitute them.
“They sell drugs and kill our youth,” wrote the commentator.
Another resident said one house is well known for drug dealing.
“They are up-in-arms over the disappearance of one of their brothers, when they have been destroying our youth for years, so they must bear the consequences for brazenly breaking the law with the sale of drugs.
“It seems that they are being protected by the police; they have caused the deterioration of our town and do not contribute one iota to the economy of our country,” continued the resident.
Another reader remarked: “I cannot believe your audacity.
“Who is protecting us against you?
“Drug dealing is a crime and protection is for the innocent tax paying residents, of which you are neither.
“You are crying over one brother, we have been crying for years over the destruction you have caused in our town.
“Sympathy is something you do not deserve and innocent is something you may not claim to be.
“The only thing that is ‘out of hand’ is that you have been allowed to carry on doing what you are doing for so long and that our police are too incompetent to do anything about it.”
The house where the incident occurred is on the list of “problematic properties” said to be housing “drug dealers and hookers”, compiled by the Western Extension CPF.
The CPF is working on evicting occupants of such houses and it has gone as far as enlisting the services of the National Prosecuting Authority.
Letters of eviction were delivered to such houses last year.
Some complied, while others are pending.
