City of Cape Town moving to evict drug dealers from council property


By Celeste Ganga
12 September 2007

The City of Cape Town says that the claim made by MEC for Safety in the Western Cape, Leonard Ramatlakane’s that the City is not acting to evict drug dealers, is wrong.

“In June this year the City submitted 43 cases of suspected drug dens or illegal shebeens to its legal team to investigate and secure evictions at those house where illegal activities are confirmed,” says Mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille.

There is also an ongoing addition to the list. In some cases, allegations against tenants or owners have proven to be unfounded. However, action has been taken in a number of cases.

“In five houses, evictions have been carried out. Tenants subsequently returned to these houses and the City has levelled contempt of court charges that will result in arrests within the next few weeks” says Zille.

On 18 September 2007, an application for another eviction will be tested in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court. The City is also in the process of applying to the Cape High Court to secure evictions.

“We have received a further six reports on potential drug dens from the South African Police Services (SAPS) that we will act on immediately,” says Zille.

The City is relying on the court processes and co-operation from the South African Police Services to secure these evictions.

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