“There are police that work with the drug lords,” said Neels Windvogel, a protestor in the DA’s march against substance abuse. Armed with a megaphone, placards and energetic song, a crowd of protesters, mostly consisting of school children, marched from the Recreation Centre in Albany Road to the Grahamstown Police Station on Wednesday morning.
“There are police that work with the drug lords,” said Neels Windvogel, a protestor in the DA’s march against substance abuse. Armed with a megaphone, placards and energetic song, a crowd of protesters, mostly consisting of school children, marched from the Recreation Centre in Albany Road to the Grahamstown Police Station on Wednesday morning.
The community is also concerned that the police often share sensitive information with the drug lords about the people who report them, which deters the reporting of criminals. “It’s our rotten justice system that is the problem,” said DA Ward 3 Councillor, Marcelle Booysen.
“The criminals get caught and the next day they are out on bail, because they’ve got good lawyers that talk them out [of trouble].” Dustin Davies, DA Branch Chairperson of Ward 3, added: “We will take out the rotten potatoes in this station."
He plans to do so by working with officers he knows are not involved in drug use, and even with the national police force. Booysen has faith in the impact of the protest because she believes the police are now aware that the community knows about some of their involvement with drugs.
“We’ve got too many teenagers selling drugs from the pavement as if they’re selling sweets to the teens,” said Booysen. “Drug lords now even come from PE to infect our community.”
She claims that drug sales and usage increased when the Grahamstown drug squad disbanded 15 years ago. Parents and grandparents have taken to hiding their money in their underwear when they go to bed, to prevent their children and grandchildren from stealing it for drugs.
Even household food is sold for this purpose. “I see the fridge is empty, but I have to keep buying,” said Monique Swart, a parent. Davies, after reaching the Police Station, handed over a petition with 450 signatures on behalf of the protestors.
“We are committing ourselves to the police. We are joining hands with them today,” said Booysen. On behalf of the Police Comissioner, Lt. Col. Funisile Phillip signed a document symbolising their collaboration with the community in the drug battle.
“We want the police to get involved and clamp down on the distribution of drugs,” said Riaan van Heerden, a protestor. The protestors would also like police patrolling the streets after seven o’clock at night – something they claim is currently not the case.
“We will become the whistle blowers from today. We are tired of drugs. They are destroying our kids, leaders of tomorrow,” said Davies. “Bring the drug squad back! The protestors chanted: “Down with drugs! Bring back the drug squad!” on their way to Crown Hall in Albany Road for a drug information session, where food was served.
“We are fighting because we want a substance abuse-free place to stay in,” said Booysen. “It’s possible if the community stands behind us and they want a safer place for their kids to grow up in.”
