![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/134/2018/07/Former-drug-dealer-Medium.jpg)
A self-confessed drug dealer from Bela-Bela dropped a bomshell asking the community to forgive him for his transgressions.
Thapelo Frans Motaung, better known as “Bomba”, voluntarily took to the podium during an event hosted by the Ikageng Youth Centre at Forever Resorts on Tuesday 3 July.
Bela-Bela Detectives Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla, has confirmed that a charge of drug dealing is still pending against Motaung.
Speaking during the event at the resort, Motaung made the startling confession that he was a drug dealer, but that he had changed his ways, and asked members of the community to embrace him in lending his hand in the fight against drugs.
Phetla further confirmed that Motaung had been imprisoned several times previously, on charges of dealing with drugs, but had been released on parole.
“I know I offended a lot of people in my community, and would like them to accept my apology,” Motaung said.
Former Bela-Bela Mayor, Lucas Nhlapo, said Motaung’s ground-breaking confession was the beginning of a journey to rid the streets of the townships of drugs.
“We need to have forgiving hearts and work with Motaung to help fight this pandemic,” he said.
Nhlapo was scheduled to lead a drug abuse march on Mandela Day, 18 July.
He said Motaung has been lined up as one of the speakers at the end of the march, culminating in an event at the local Multi-Purpose Centre.
— The BEAT