INLSA

Social Development MEC Albert Fritz.Photo: Matthew Jordaan

Caryn Dolley

A SENIOR provincial director whose job description includes targeting substance abuse and related problems has been charged with drug possession after he was allegedly found with tik.

Dave McNamara, who is presently still chief director for social welfare services, was arrested in a notorious city centre block of flats last year and taken into custody.

He was discovered at Senator Park in the early hours of June 28.

A full tik straw and tik lolly were allegedly found in his pockets.

Over the years, McNamara has been widely quoted in the media about the province’s escalating drug problem. But news of his arrest emerged only this week when a tabloid got hold of the case number and asked police about the matter.

Social Development MEC Albert Fritz said he had also found out about McNamara’s arrest only this week.

“The department has sought legal advice and is currently considering the most appropriate action,” he said.

Fritz said McNamara had been arrested on a charge of possession of illegal substances. He referred queries about the circumstances around McNamara’s arrest to police.

Yesterday, police spokesman Frederick van Wyk, without using McNamara’s name, said a case of drug possession had been opened.

He said the matter was under investigation and currently formed part of a court case. McNamara was expected in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court again in April.

Zodwa Mgwaza, the ANC’s spokeswoman for social development in the provincial legislature, said McNamara’s arrest could not be ignored. She said it was not evident how Fritz only found out about it this week, nearly eight months later.

“It is unclear how he could have

been kept in the dark so long on such a serious matter.

“The MEC and the DA should now show it takes drug fighting seriously, suspend McNamara pending the court case and set clear future guidelines to deal with such occurrences,” Mgwaza said.

“Substance abuse is a serious problem causing enormous suffering in the province.

“The DA must ensure the battle against drugs continues unharmed,” Mgwaza said.

When McNamara was arrested in Senator Park last year, the block of flats had been notorious for crime, especially drug dealing and prostitution.

Constant police raids had been carried out in the building, and eventually Senator Park’s body corporate obtained an order from the Western Cape High Court authorising the upgrade of the building.

In July last year the building had been cleared of tenants so it could be revamped.

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za