Top cop addresses business chamber
Three years ago Krugersdorp SAPS took hands with the Chamber and other stakeholders to form the Drug Task Team.
Krugersdorp top cop Colonel Luke Enslin and his team painted a vivid picture of the town’s drug and prostitution problem.
During the recent West Rand Chamber of Business and Tourism networking session at Cedar Lodge, Enslin told those who attended that in the last three years over 4 000 people have been arrested for crimes related to drugs and prostitution.
Most of these arrests were made within the Krugersdorp CBD area, with over 2 000 foreigners being deported.
Yet many Krugersdorpers feel that both the trades are increasing by the minute.
“What people don’t realise is that we continuously make arrests. People think we are doing nothing, but our statistics speak for themselves,” said Enslin.
He also spoke about the recent riots in the drug and prostitution hub of Krugersdorp – Sivewright Street near Luipaard Street –which also is known as ‘Little Nigeria’.
He briefly explained that the Nigerian nationals in the area feel victimised by the South Africans even though they are in the country legally, trying to make an honest living.
Enslin said foreigners with asylum papers are the ones in town with other agendas and who usually make a living by dealing in drugs and managing girls as sex slaves.
“The police are doing everything their resources allow them to do. People always want answers from us about what is happening, yet the local government needs to deport these illegal immigrants and enforce their own by-laws.”
Without the proper help of local government departments such as Home Affairs and the Department of Justice, the police’s hands are tied and these drug dealers and prostitutes often walk the streets again soon after they were taken into custody.
“Numerous procedures need to be followed once a person is arrested for crimes relating to drugs and prostitution. Because of judicial red tape and inexperienced police officers in the field, dockets often are left unresolved.”
news Editor Janine Viljoen asked Enslin why Krugersdorp is such a popular destination for drugs and prostitution, to which he replied, “Drugs are everywhere. All four corners of Gauteng have problems and Krugersdorp is no different.”
Three years ago Krugersdorp SAPS took hands with the Chamber and other stakeholders such as the CPF and various non-profit organisations in Krugersdorp to form the Drug Task Team. Together they have been sweeping the town clean.
You can SMS your tip-off relating to these crimes to the task team’s hotline on 083 399 4544 to help make a difference.
“If we did not have this task team in place, Krugersdorp would have been worse off,” end Enslin.
Related articles:
• Violent protests in Sivewright Street
• Mayor’s office promises to address Sivewright crime
