Rosettenville residents claim non-nationals promote prostitution and drugs

RESIDENTS of Rosettenville demand the Nigerian nationals to leave their suburb claiming they sell drugs and force young girls to prostitution.

A couple of months ago, residents set fire to homes which they claim to be brothels and drug dens in Rosettenville in an effort to curb the level of crime.

However, recently the residents claim things are getting worse. They complain that there are drug dens and prostitutes on just about every corner.

Resident Sipho Moloi* said: “Our children are dying and we can’t do anything because now Nigerians rule Rosettenville. I also had to take my son far from this area because if he had stayed I believe he could have been into drugs also – who knows.”

Another resident said: “It will be good if these people can do things in a legitimate way. They are using our young girls. Why don’t they bring young Nigerian girls to sell themselves here?”

Residents believe that some salons, shops and shebeens which Nigerians own are just a front to cover up their shady business.

However, one Nigerian told COURIER that not all Nigerians are doing shady business and that some are here to make a legal living for themselves.

The councillor of Ward 56 Michael Crichton said: “There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that the selling of drugs in my ward is a huge problem and combating it has been one of my priorities since taking office. That is why every year I’m actively involved in organising the annual anti-drug awareness campaign and I work closely with entities such as SAPS and JMPD to have regular raids.”

He went on to say: “Prostitution has always been in a problem and I have been looking at it very closely and most of the young girls victimised are from different provinces, and some from other countries.

“I am part of Anti-Human Trafficking Committee that has been looking into how we can assist the authorities in identifying victims of human trafficking and how best they can be taken to safety.

“I am reluctant to say it’s only a specific group within our community that is involved in these activities. But I agree with the executive mayor councillor Herman Mashaba when he says we must look into the issue of undocumented people that reside here,” Crichton said.

Moffatview SAPS communications officer Jeff Phora said: “We look into these allegations and respond as soon as we have enough information. However, we need to emphasise that such allegations will never be taken for granted.”

*Real names of residents withheld for security reasons.

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