GEORGE NEWS - The Western Cape Police Ombudsman, Maj-Gen Oswald Reddy, has launched an investigation following allegations that the police have failed to close down known drug dens in the province.
Reddy, the former Eden Cluster Commander in George, says his office will be looking into police inefficiencies in combating the drug trade as part of a systemic investigation.
By the end of June 2021, the police confirmed that there were 1 577 drug houses operating in the Western Cape, with 53% of them situated in the Cape Town Metro.
"Addressing the issue of drug dens is a Saps responsibility, together with other law enforcement agencies. However, if there is a service delivery inefficiency, relating to why the known drug dens aren't being closed down, then it falls within our mandate.
"We need to determine what has happened since Saps has provided this information to the provincial parliament. Has there been an increase in the number of known drug houses, has there been a decrease or has the status quo remained?" says Reddy.
Official complaint
Last month, the ombudsman's office received an official complaint from DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Community Safety, Reagen Allen.
Allen says he requested that the matter be investigated. "The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the investigation and we trust that it will uncover the reasons as to why Saps is unable to prevent these illicit activities from destroying our communities.
"Due to this investigation being of paramount importance, I will, in my capacity as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Community Safety in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, be requesting regular reports on the progress made by the Ombudsman," says Allen.
The investigation was announced in the Provincial Gazette on Friday 8 April and will determine why the police are unable to:
• address the manufacturing and supply of illegal substances, in addition to the use, possession and dealing thereof; and
• terminate the operation of these premises.
"Our Constitution places an obligation on the Saps to protect and secure residents by preventing, combating and investigating criminal activities. The success of this investigation will contribute immensely to our crime fighting efforts in order to keep residents safe. We support the Ombudsman's request and call on any persons or organisations to make submissions that will further aid the investigation," says Allen.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brig Novela Potelwa, says the police will cooperate with the investigators.
"We have noted the intention to investigate allegations of police inefficiency in relation to drugs in the province. The police respects the rule of law and will cooperate with the intended probe. The scourge of drugs and its manifestations, while concerning to all, requires a whole-of-society approach inclusive of all government entities as stipulated in the national drug master plan," says Potelwa.
Public must assist
Reddy says the probe is still in its early stages, but the entire province is under scrutiny and there are currently no specific drug hot spot areas.
He invited members of the public to share any information that can assist during the course of the investigation.
The public has until 20 May to submit any comments and the investigation is expected to take three months to conclude.
Residents can contact the Western Cape Police Ombudsman on the website, via email at ombudsman@wcpo.gov.za, or by calling 021 483 0669.
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