Residents plea for the curbing of drug usage in Solomondale
Residents of Solomondale near Mankweng are hoping to curb the use of drugs in the area following the murder and rape of Thabo Mokgopo.
POLOKWANE – The lives of the people of Solomondale’s New Stand in the Mankweng area are under threat because of local drug users.
The most recent victim of what is believed to be three methamphetamine users, Thabo Mokgopo, was raped and murdered.
Lepai Maboa, Joey Mokwena and Eddy Ragolane, all between the ages of 19 and 25 years, appeared before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on September 8 where their case was postponed while they remain in custody.
CPF chairperson in Solomondale, Samuel Mafata told BONUS that learners who walk home from school often report being harrassed by passers-by who are under the influence of drugs.
“The area used to be very safe and our children could walk to school without any problems.”
Some residents who attended the court hearing said the three are not unfamiliar to them, and that they too have been threatened by them.
A CPF member who fears being victimised told BONUS that often, the parents of young criminals seem to be supportive of their children despite them breaking the law.
“What you often see is that they send people here to attend the court case, only for those people to be put on some hit list.”
Mafata expressed concern that more and more young people in the area are being introduced to drugs, which simultanously could lead to an even higher crime rate in the area.
