Pretoria - The City of Tshwane’s anti-drug operations this week might have appeared to be targeting the nyaope-smoking boys who were stopped and searched in the inner city, but were actually hot on the heels of the big fish.
Mayor Randall Williams, who joined the metro police on an anti-crime blitz, said they targeted drug dens in Edmond Street at the Lion Bridge in Pretoria’s CBD.
“We searched some nyaope boys, but we are after the people selling the drugs to them,” the mayor said in a tweet.
He added that the motive behind the operation was to drive “by-law enforcement operations” and rid the streets of “drug dens where nyaope boys get their fix”.
“Now we will be continuing with regular law enforcement in that area to keep the area cleared of our youngsters who abuse drugs.”
Also targeted was the Sunnyside area, where businesses felt the heat from the metro police, who went about verifying whether they complied with business licence regulations.
A liquor store that disguised itself as a coffee shop in Sunnyside was shut down for continuing to sell alcohol after its licence expired three years ago.
“Calling the place a coffee bar is not going to fool us,” said Williams in another tweet. He also announced that Sunnyside Halaal Food and Butchery had been closed after its business operators failed to produce any legal paperwork.
Two businesses were shut down due to non-compliance with health regulations, and four businesses were issued with fines for operating with expired licences.
He said by-law enforcement operations included addressing safety and security concerns at Venning Park in Arcadia, a drug raid at Lion Bridge in Edmond Street, and by-law enforcement in Sunnyside.
“Residents have often raised concerns regarding safety around Venning Park. In addressing this, I have instructed the Tshwane Metro Police Department to increase visibility around the park as an interim measure while we look for a lasting solution.”
At Lion Bridge, the department, assisted by Pro Shield security company, cleared street drug users and will continue to visit the area.
“In Sunnyside in Robert Sobukwe Street, City officials from the Economic Development and Spatial Planning Department and the Health Department, as well as SAPS Sunnyside, raided multiple shops that failed to comply with the by-laws, health and safety regulations and the Liquor Act, 2003,” Williams said.
During the operation illegal street traders were removed and encouraged to apply for permits.
“By-laws are laws that are passed by the council of a municipality to regulate its affairs and the services the municipality provides in its area of jurisdiction,” Williams said.
Pretoria News