Drug dealers and homeless people still a sore eye for residents

SECUNDA – Drug dealers selling drugs in the open field behind Maluti Townhouses in Charl Cilliers Street are still a problem for residents living in this complex. The Ridge Times reported about this issue last week. Capt Gerhard Elmes, spokesman of Secunda Police, has since commented. “The police are aware of this problem, however it is very difficult to catch these people,” said Capt Elmes. “If we do not catch them with the drugs in their hands, we cannot arrest them or prove that it was their drugs. “We often find drugs there, then we hand it in. “According to law, if we go there and the drugs are on the ground next to the person, there is no way to prove that it is indeed that person’s drugs. “The only way to deal with the problem is to organise operations there. This we do from time to time.” Residents also complained about homeless people making fires in the open field and leaving their rubbish everywhere, as well as the state of the playground equipment. The Ridge Times asked the communications department of Govan Mbeki Municipality for comment, but they failed to comment at the time of going to print.