Dagga smoking trespasser becomes political football

Local DA Councillor for Florida, Dave Dewes, was summonsed to the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on the morning of 23 July on a charge of intimidation following an incident on 18 July.

Dewes allegedly received complaints from tenants of one of his properties that a man was living on the property illegally, and was smoking dagga and harassing them. Dewes alleges that upon investigation he could see that the man was intoxicated and when Dewes asked him to remove himself from the property he challenged Dewes.

When the Record caught up with him just after 8.30am outside the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court, Dewes admitted to “manhandling” the trespasser to remove him physically from the property and also said that he did “tell him in strong words” to leave his property.

“It is such a minor incident that probably would not have been taken to court, but it came to my knowledge that the ANC has been putting pressure on the SAPS by contacting them every 10 minutes demanding to know whether I have been charged yet,” says Dewes, flanked by his attorney.

“I have a huge problem with drugs in my Ward and lost it when I had to deal with it on one of my properties. Yes, of course I got angry and told the man in no uncertain terms to leave and not come back. He then got cocky with me,” says a flabbergasted Dewes.

The incident is ironic in the light of the AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who openly smokes dagga, recently joining the ranks of the DA.

“It seems okay to smoke dagga as long as it is on DA property,” says Dewes with a mischievous smile.

Dewes was to appear in court later the day at 10.30am.