“Take me to rehab”. These are the words of a young man, Solly Ramsey, who said that he has become tired of being a victim of substance abuse. Since a drug called nyaope has flooded many communities in Soweto, residents have vowed to take the law into their hands by beating nyaope users.
Residents claim that those who use the drug end up committing crimes like theft, robbery and burglaries, which has seen the crime rate skyrocketing. Ramsey, who lives in Phiri, has become one of the victims of substance abuse and is regarded as a menace to society by residents.
He claims that the community is after him and said that he was afraid to move around the township after receiving death threats from the community which claims that he was stealing from them.
“I agree that I am an addict but I do not steal from anyone. Yes, I used to commit crime in order to get the drug but that ended a long time ago after I was arrested and served a five year sentence.
“I was released in 2008 and since then I have not gotten into any criminal acts. I still smoke and I’m willing to give up the drug and become a better person, but it is hard for me because I cannot control the cravings.
“To show the community that I am no longer the person who used to commit crime, I am willing to go to rehab. If anyone can take me there, I will never hesitate,” said Ramsey.
According to Ramsey, he was jailed for five years for the crimes he committed and on his release, he decided to steer clear of any criminal activities.
He said, “I am unemployed and the only income I get is through gambling by playing dice so that I can get something to eat or smoke. Some of the residents do help me by providing food sometimes since I have nothing.”
Ramsey lives in a house at Phiri which burnt down mysteriously during the cold winter season. The fire left the house dilapidated with no furniture and broken windows. The roofing was also destroyed during the blaze.
The Ward 15 councillor, Miriam Maleke and the Phiri Neighbourhood Watch have been trying to get help to revamp the house. A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, believes that the reason no-one seems willing to help is that they suspect Ramsey of being behind string of thefts in the area .
A relative, who did not want to be named as well, said that he was not buying Ramsey’s story. He said, “The boy has become a serious problem and cannot be trusted. He has done a lot of unacceptable things and I do not blame the community for not trusting him.”
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