Drugs and alcohol abuse are some of the major contributors to crimes perpetrated against women and children and the arrest of two men in possession drugs worth R75 million should be lauded.
"As the Gauteng Provincial Government, we would like to thank law enforcement agencies in our province for heeding the call to break the back of drug syndicates operating in Gauteng.
"It is a fact that the abuse of alcohol and drugs is a common denominator where abuse of the vulnerable takes place. It is encouraging that this drug bust takes place during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, a campaign which has also noted the negative impact drug abuse has on the safety of women and children," Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said.
The Hawks arrested the two men with 20kg of heroin, 15kg of cocaine and 15kg of tik in Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni this week.
This was a second major bust in the area this year after SARS officials working at the OR Tambo International Airport nabbed two women in July for possession of 150kg of tik worth more than R40 million.
"Through these arrests, law enforcement agencies are complementing the hard work we are doing in areas such as Eldorado Park, Reiger Park, Tshwane and other areas to make Gauteng a no-go area for drug peddlers and pushers," Mokonyane said.
The Gauteng Premier urged residents to continue working with authorities by forwarding information on drug peddlers to Drug Watch, which has led to the arrests of 35 422 individuals, while over R14.2 million worth of drugs were seized since the initiative was launched in Gauteng in June.
Communities can pass on tip-offs to the 32211 SMS service or call 08600 10111 and blow the whistle on crime.
Alternatively, residents can send tip-offs to provincial authorities on 0860 42 88 364.
For more information contact the Premier's spokesperson:
Thebe Mohatle
Cell: 082 373 1146
