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South African police have revealed that there are 1 819 known drug houses in the Western Cape – 1 077 of them are located in the Cape Town Metro while 742 are in rural areas, with 37 linked to organised crime.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Education Department has 1 449 government schools.

Authorities have warned that an aggressive approach is needed, per Weekend Argus, as it is ludicrous that drug peddling is outweighing education.

During a parliamentary question and answer session, Gillion Bosman, the Western Cape spokesperson for Community Safety, noted that drug houses formed a critical component of the production and distribution networks maintained by illicit narcotic peddlers:

“The updated figures represent an increase (in drug houses) of more than 15% compared to similar numbers received by the DA in June 2021,” Bosman explained.

These numbers are alarming, with Bosman mentioning the well-known negative effects of the illicit drug trade:

“Drugs tear apart families and communities, and ensnare too many of our people in the bonds of addiction. Crucially, they provide the most important and vital source of income for gangs, thus driving incessant and constant violence. It is unacceptable that drug houses continue to proliferate throughout our province, where they spread their poison into our communities.

It is abundantly clear that shutting down drug houses will not only end their stranglehold on our communities, but will also deprive gangsters of their income.”

Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, is encouraging the public to be the ears and eyes of the police, sending a warning out to those occupying these depraved homes.

“We want to believe that since placing a spotlight on drug houses in the Western Cape, more residents have been coming forward to report where these houses are.

I urge the police and all law enforcement agencies to be proactive in shutting these houses down and arresting those who are guilty of participating in these illicit trades.”

Allen added that those taking up residence on property of the State should be evicted as these housing opportunities should provide people with a place to live in dignity and not engage in illegal activities:

“We must be aggressive and unapologetic in combating this crime, as they are directly linked to gangsterism, organised crime and various other crimes.”

Law enforcement has received 500 complaints of rental stock being used to commit these crimes, which have contributed to investigations and the necessary action to be taken.

This outcry needs to be louder.

[source:weekendargus]