A part of that is keeping drug dealers and drug users off the streets. Altogether 42 arrests have been made during November for drug related crimes to stem the tide of this dangerous pastime.
On Sunday, December 7 a man was arrested in the Central Business District (CBD) after police approached him and asked to search him. He apparently threw a plastic bag on the ground as the police approached him. The police inspected that bag and found hard drugs inside before making the arrest.
On Wednesday, December 3 a suspected drug dealer was arrested at the Taxi Rank in the CBD. The suspect apparently had drugs worth more than R1 000 in his pocket. An officer on duty apparently noticed the suspicious looking man and asked to search his pocket. The officer found the drugs inside a rubber glove.
During November, Witbank SAPS arrested 41 suspects on drug related crimes. They noted that these are positive arrest figures, leading into the festive season when drug control is especially important.
On November 26 SAPS made a big arrest when a patrolling unit spotted a suspicious person next to the road in the CBD.
The police approached the suspect and searched him. They apparently found seven bags of drugs on him that are estimated to be worth several thousand rand.
On November 29 two drug arrests were made by the SAPS. The first was made by a morning patrol when two officers were driving down Lukin Street at 07:30. They noticed a suspicious man walking down the street. They stopped and searched him and found a bag of dagga in his possession. The drugs were apparently packed inside a zip-lock plastic bag.
At 21:30 a patrol arrested another man who was in possession of a bag of dagga. The arrest was made on the corner of OR Tambo and Louise streets after police searched the suspect.
Capt Eddie Hall, spokesperson for Witbank SAPS, said that drug related crimes are a priority for the SAPS, especially over the festive season as they have a zero tolerance policy towards this evil.
There is help to be found if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Contact South African National Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SANCA) for more assistance from their national office on 011 892 3829 or the eMalahleni branch on 013 656 2370.
