The infamous Sivewright Street in Luipaardsvlei has become known for its illegal drug activity, but the epidemic has flowed over into other suburbs as well.
Burgershoop, commonly referred to as Blikkies, is a small suburb more than 100 years old. In recent months it has changed more drastically than residents could have anticipated. An influx of drug-related activities along with foreign nationals have burdened not only the residents, but the businesses in the area as well.
Shops along Commissioner Street are closing one by one, as broken bottles litter the street and intimidating men scare off customers.
One business, that is believed to have sold material there for over 28 years, also has closed its doors.
Another shop that recently opened will not trade any longer by the end of the month.
“Clients are afraid,” one business owner said.
“They think it’s unsafe to get out of their cars because men approach them, asking if they are interested in buying drugs.”
Democratic Alliance ward councillor Jakkie Naudé agreed.
“It has become a lot worse. Young children fall victim to drug abuse, especially in this area,” he told the News.
Naudé added that he daily receives several complaints.
“Drugs are sold mostly at scrap metal shops and hid in dilapidated buildings,” Jakkie explained.
Naudé also remarked that police officers serve at the same station for too long periods. He was a police officer for 20 years and said as soon as you become a lieutenant, you should not serve longer than five years in the same cluster.
“This is done to prevent officers from forming illegal connections that would disable them from defending justice,” he said.
Naudé urges the municipality to enforce its by-laws to deal with this increasing problem.
Also read:
• Dirty business in Burgershoop
• Man hits drug dealer with wheel spanner
• Shop owner’s real problem in Sivewright
