War on drugs in Sunnyside (Tshwane)

MEDIA WATCH 30.08.2019

DRUG WARS

Incidents of violence have erupted in the suburb of Sunnyside after the shooting of a taxi driver on Tuesday afternoon, allegedly by a foreign national. The drivers had confronted the perpetrator for allegedly dealing drugs in the CBD. In retaliation, the angry crowd set alight numerous stores suspected to be run by foreign nationals on Wednesday, accusing them of selling drugs to young people. Some stores were also looted during the violence.

In May, taxi drivers used sjamboks and sticks to disperse suspected drug users on the notorious Brown Street.

Residents and business owners are frustrated at how the drug situation is now totally out of control and are asking for the police to clean up the streets.

“Anyone who lives or has been in the CBD knows that if you want drugs at any given time, Sunnyside is the place to go,” said taxi driver Sello Sekgale. “We are not fighting with the police; all we want is for them to come with us so we can search through each and every flat here. We know there are drugs here and we want them gone.”

Damage to businesses is taking its toll, and some shop owners have fled the area while others try to salvage what is left of their stock and possessions.

A task team has been assigned to the area to control the situation and the City of Tshwane issued the following statement: “The intention of the task team is to work together and discuss any information that requires a proactive response to any potential risks.”
“Going forward, SAPS and the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) will keep a strong presence in the CBD through various operations,” the statement said.

SOURCES:

1. Sakhile Ndlazi/Goitsemang Tlhabye, Tshwane taxi drivers continue their war on drugs in Sunnyside, 30.08.2019, https://www.iol.co.za/pretoria-news/tshwane-taxi-
drivers-continue-their-war-on-drugs-in-sunnyside-31530269
2. Nomahlubi Jordaan, Task team set up to deal with Tshwane violence, 29.08.2019, https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-08-29-task-team-set-up-to-deal-
with-tshwane-violence/