eMbalenhle parents battle with kids addicted to drugs
“We want help for our children, even if they can be send to prison maybe that can give us some rest, ” said one of the parents.
Parents of the young drug addicts at Ext 14 eMbalenhle, are tired of their children because the police do not arrest the kids involved in crime.
These parents said their children are stealing everything in their homes and selling it for drugs.
The parents are now living in fear.
“I don’t know how my child got into drugs because he has a son to look after. Now he steals everything – even the things his own child needs,” said Thoko Mbonani.
According to her, her son took the stove on which she cooks food for her grandchild.
“He sold it to a scrapyard for drugs. We have many scrapyards here in our township that promote crime.
“They buy stolen goods without finding out if it had been stolen,” said Mbonani.
These parents also said the eMbalenhle Police do assist them because the police do not arrest the children, even when the parents open theft cases.
The police allegedly only refer the parents to the court to apply for a protection order against their children.
“I went to eMbalenhle Police Station to open a case against my child who stole some of my furniture and sold it for drugs.
“Yes, they opened the case but didn’t arrest him. We believe if police can arrest them maybe they can be rehabilitated and leave drugs.”
One parent said they are ashamed of their children.
“We brought them into this world and failed to guide them.
“Some of us are even scared of our own children.
“It is painful because we know the drug dealers and we are scared of them.”
This parent claims that some police officers are working with the drug dealers and cannot be trusted.
Sarah Masuku (66), a pensioner, said she is now using a paraffin stove to cook because her electrical cable was cut and sold to the scrap yard.
She also said she is charging her cellphone at her neighbours.
“I have opened a case because I know the Nyaupe addict who took my cable. Until today, he is still roaming around the streets,” said Masuku.
“We want help for our children, even if they can be sent to prison maybe that can give us some rest, ” said one of the parents.
Const Busi Mthethwa, eMbalenhle Police spokesperson, said any person who feels that he or she is not being assisted at the police station, should speak to that shift commander.
Mthethwa said sometimes parents come to the police station not sure about their decision of either opening a case against their children or the need for a protection order.
“Usually, some of them come to the police and ask the police to scare their problematic addict children. It is not the police’s work to scare people.
“We fight crime and arrest the perpetrators.
“The community should also understand that we don’t arrest to punish, but to send out a deterrence to stop crime.”
Mthethwa said the police conduct drugs awareness campaigns through their Community Police Officer who is always on the ground working with the community.
“Working together with different stakeholders, we also have programmes to assist addicts to quit their drug addiction.
“We advice community members who are not satisfied with the service at our police station to come to our station commander and explain everything,” said Mthethwa.
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