Kempton Park on the East Rand is not only home to the biggest airport on the continent, the OR Tambo International Airport, but a magnet for drug dealers and abusers.
Over the years Joburg has become the main drug den of Gauteng, with drug-related crime rising out of control, according to the police and a leading community leader.
“Hillbrow has lost the top spot in drug use and dealing to Kempton Park. Streets and schools are flooded with all kinds of drugs. Our hands are full - we call for the assistance of members of the community to stop this plague,” says an off-duty policeman who does not wish to be named.
He says rape, theft, drugs and hijackings have become a daily occurrence in the previously sleepy Kempton Park, which is minutes from Africa’s biggest and busiest airport, with about 19 million passengers a year passing through.
Kempton Park, once safe and with clean streets, has become a place where people cannot walk around freely as drug lords and prostitutes maintain thriving businesses under their noses.
The police have been accused of protecting the drug lords and criminals, but they say they are doing everything possible to eradicate the drugs scourge.
What makes matters worse and is a source of great concern to police and other role-players, including politicians, is that Kempton Park could provide the first impression of South Africa for some visitors from abroad.
“If guests get lost and end up in our suburbs, they are confronted with drug pedlars and prostitutes. This is not how we want our country to welcome our visitors,” says Refiloe Ntsekhe, a member of the provincial legislature and DA constituency head in Tembisa and Kempton Park.
“The rate at which people are getting addicted to drugs is so fast that there is a short supply of rehabilitation centres,” she says. “Those who do find rehabilitation also return to the very communities where nothing has changed and the drugs are still available. The chances of relapsing are high.”
Ntsekhe calls for the revival of the SAPS narcotics unit, visible policing in drug-suspected hot spots, and the investigation of the suspected drug dens.
“We call for the arrest of alleged drug dealers.
“We want to reclaim our streets and will support the police who work towards getting rid of drugs on our streets.”
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, at the end of December, 32 drug-related cases were on the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court roll.
Most of the accused were first-time offenders arrested on dealing charges.
Gauteng police spokeswoman Phindi Louw says the use of drugs in Ekurhuleni has increased drastically in the past few years.
She says at least five people a day are arrested and detained for possession of drugs at the Kempton Park police station.
According to a police source at the station, most suspects are fairly young.
“Most admit to the crime and plead guilty. In most cases, they are released on a warning or a fine.”
The source said drug-related crimes were leading to an increase in serious and violent crimes.
“Homeless people are also involved in house burglaries.
They sell expensive goods at give-away prices just to get a fix..”
Central Avenue, Long and Weststreets have been identified as hot spots where drugs are easily accessible.
Kempton Park Community Patrolling Forum chairman Luthando Lubando says tip-offs have paid off.
“We have rolled out operations with the police heading to schools because we are aware school children are involved. It starts with cigarettes and escalates to dagga. We will be engaging with parents.”
Children as young as 14 were hooked.
Lubando applauds undercover cops who have succeeded in arresting perpetrators.
Sunday Independent