Battle against 'drug house' continues

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The spotlight is back on the infamous "drug house" in Cathedral Street after complaints of water theft and young children on the premises were received from nearby business owners and residents.

Other ongoing complaints range from constant screaming, swearing and fighting in the street in front of the house, alleged drug dealing, prostitution, theft out of motor vehicles and vandalism, to child abuse, domestic abuse, human trafficking and people urinating and defecating in front of the house and on nearby properties.

Early in February this year George Herald reported that there might be light at the end of this dark tunnel when Acting Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz, said the property owner had been located and necessary steps to rectify the illegal activities on the property would be instituted against him shortly.

"We are hopeful that the steps taken by the municipality will resolve the matter as quickly as possible, but in the meantime we continue to appeal to the police and the authority responsible for public health to visit the property on a regular basis to ensure compliance with legislation and health and safety standards," she said.

However, three months down the line residents and neighbouring business owners are losing hope of the problem ever being solved.

"We are sick and tired of what's going on in that house," said one of the nearby business owners. "They recently broke our pipes to steal the water and it seems like it has now also become a storage facility for stolen goods. You try run a business and serve clients with the constant stench of raw sewage hanging around you."

And, as reported by a resident, it would seem that there are children living on the premises again - after children were reportedly removed from the house by social workers in March last year.

In response to a query, municipal communications officer Athane Scholtz said the municipality shares the frustrations of those affected by the activities on the property and reiterated that they are addressing the issues in the legal domain within their mandate and rights.

"Legal processes are inherently complicated and prolonged, and while the process is ongoing, the municipality cannot comment beyond the assurance that the matter is receiving attention. The municipality cannot comment or act on illegal activities and social matters at this site, which falls within the mandate of the police and Department Social Development respectively," she said.

Police activity

Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, said that various arrests have been made in the recent past and "undesired goods and elements" have been confiscated from the property.

"We are aware of the situation in Cathedral Street and have already launched various operations to address the issues highlighted by members of the community. We have also engaged with all relevant role players and departments in an effort to collectively deal with the issues at hand," he said.

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