Ga-Masemola community wages war against drug dealers and criminals
Ga-Masemola
Dozens of Ga-Masemola community members outside Jane Furse have on Monday 8 July, taken a stand by protesting against drugs and crime in the area, saying it has reached a peak in the village.
During the protest, the disgruntling group went on a rampage to hunt down alleged drug dealers in the village. They claim the drug dealers and criminals are reported to the police but they are released by the court after getting arrested.
Residents complain that the area has lately become a breeding ground for drug dealers and criminals who take advantage and attack people on the streets and in their residence.
During the protest, the demonstrating group converged at the house of one of the suspected drug dealers to make direct complaints. However, the suspected drug dealer was not at home when the complaining community arrived.
A community leader, Louis Nchabeleng, said they protested because they want to save their community from drugs and crime which are prevalent in the area.
“We are fighting drugs and crime because even when the police arrest them they are getting released the same day. The community is tired with the high rate of crime. This is because drug addicts commit crime to get money to buy nyaope and other substances,” he said.
Nchabeleng said they are more concerned that children are getting exposed to drugs at an early age.
“It is shocking to see children as young as ten years doing drugs instead of being in school with their peers. How are they going to value education if they are starting to get addicted at such an early age? The next thing they become common criminals because that is the only way they can make money to feed their habit,” he said.
According to Nchabeleng, the community will organize other protests to continue the fight against drugs and crime.
“We are planning to stage a bigger protest where residents will go directly to identified drug dealers and criminals to deal with them. The community is tired and an immediate action is needed. The justice system of the county is failing us,” he said.
