About 70 Pagad (People Against Gangsterism and Drugs) supporters visited suspected drug dealers in Seawinds near Muizenberg on Saturday night to demand they stop selling drugs.
At about 11pm, a 25-vehicle convoy arrived in the area and went to two suspected drug houses. Pagad senior executive member Osman Sahib said on Sunday that they had gone there to deliver a “message”.
“We decided to go into Seawinds to give the message that drug dealers must stop. One dealer was not at home when we arrived and we asked his neighbours to convey the message to him. Last night’s activity was not advertised. We’ve had a lot of activities over the last few weeks in many areas. It is in response to a call from residents,” Sahib said.
He said that two weeks ago his organisation met Lavender Hill and Seawinds residents who wanted Pagad branches established in the areas, Another meeting would be held next week.
Among Pagad members at the visit to drug dealers was its national co-ordinator, Abdus Salaam Ebrahim, who in 2002 was convicted of public violence. After serving nine years in prison, Ebrahim was released on strict parole conditions in September, 2008. The conditions, which included house arrest, were lifted in October.
“He is now completely free,” Sahib said, adding that Pagad would continue to confront drug dealers and would meet residents of Mitchells Plain, Manenberg and other places over the next few weeks.
While messages left for Steenberg police spokesman Stephen Knapp were not returned, Seawinds Neighbourhood Watch member Rita Jacobs said they knew nothing of Pagad’s visit to the area.
“I have no idea of Pagad being in Seawinds. We do have a serious drug problem in Seawinds. The community is suffering because of drug dealers. Mothers are crying as they lose their children to drugs,” Jacobs said. - Cape Times