New security confronts drugs in Banbury Cross Village
NORTH RIDING – Drug dealing no longer a dilemma at shopping centre.
Since AZ Mabutho took charge of security at Banbury Cross Village two months ago, drug dealing in the area has plummeted, centre management and tenants said.
The centre in North Riding has long been the hub of drug dealing in Randburg, with the issue raised at nearly every Honeydew Sector 1 Community Policing Forum recently (see previous articles).
It was reported at the last forum meeting that Honeydew Police are achieving their target of 24 drug-related arrests per week near the centre (see previous article). “This was one of the focus points of drugs in Joburg,” said the centre’s building manager Thomas Rademeyer. “Since they [AZ Mabutho] came, they have done very well. They made 70 arrests in their first week.”
He added that previous security companies were afraid of the drug dealers, but the new company is not. “It is not 100 per cent but it is much, much better and people can come back without being harassed by drug dealers.” Victor Siwela, owner of the security company, explained that his approach is different. “We are not here to fight the drug dealers,” he said.
“Some drug dealers are decent, they listen when you tell them to go. They understand I’m trying to do a job here. The ones that are arrogant are told to stay away or we will charge them with trespassing if they come again.” Rademeyer explained that loiterers and people parked in vehicles for no reason are escorted off the premises in a ‘nice way’.
“From the time they got here they have done a lot of good,” said Go Souvlaki owner Andreas Kasioulis. “Before it was something crazy.” Sheena Roberts, who works at Dvds @ Banbury, explained that customers were previously afraid to get out of their cars because of the drug dealers.
Owner of Phadima Carwash Mpho Setsiba said that he is grateful for the new security, as drug dealing is no longer negatively affecting his business.
AZ Mabutho claimed to work closely with Honeydew Police to combat drug dealing in the centre.
Details: AZ Mabutho 073 678 1677; Honeydew Police 011 801 8613.
