Read: Danger zone of Casseldale
Thea and Monique previously reported that there is a lot of suspicious activity that occurs on the corner on the road in which they work, including drinking in public and the various strangers who park in the parking lot for no apparent reason.
“Every day, the whole day, people just stand outside the liquor store and drink,” says Monique.
“They do this from very early in the morning.”
Thea explains, while they have not yet had any problems, they have concerns about safety especially because there are just women working at her shop.
“We leave here quite late at night and we are worried about our safety,” she says.
“These people just watch us come and go which is very frightening.”
Thea also says there is a young child who stands outside the liquor store the whole day, while his caregivers are inside the store.
“This poor child stands there alone most of the time, waiting for whoever is inside,” she says.
“That is really concerning.”
Thea says that on Friday the police – who regularly patrol the area – noticed some of the excessive public drinking that was occurring and they went into the liquor store to inquire.
“My husband asked police officials: is the shop a liquor store or a tavern,” says Thea, “because there seems to be no regulatory measures put in place.”
The police officials apparently went into the store to try resolve the matter.
Other than safety and security, Thea says she feels the effects of this situation in her pockets.
“None of my clients feel safe here so it’s bad for business,” she says, “and on top of that, the public drinkers park their cars in my parking lot which means my clients have no space for their cars.”
According to Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) spokesman, Wilfred Kgasago, both the precinct commander and the EMPD Bylaws Unit have been made aware of the complaints.
“An investigation will be launched and the establishment in question will be closely monitored with the objective of verifying the claims,” says Kgasago.
“The appropriate actions will be taken should any wrong-doing be found to be committed.”
Kgasago says that the Ekurhuleni bylaws prohibit drinking and urinating in public and offenders are charged on a docket and liable to a fine.
“The outcome of the investigation will be communicated,” he says.
