Western Cape residents have 2 days left to make their submissions to the Western Cape Provincial Police Ombudsman, Oswald Reddy, on police inefficiencies as it relates to SAPS’ failure to combat the operation of drug houses in the province.
In April, the Ombudsman published a notice in the
Provincial Gazette announcing an investigation into these inefficiencies.
In June 2021, SAPS confirmed that there were 1 577 drug houses operating in the Western Cape. Of these, 53% are situated in the Cape Metro.
The Ombudsman’s investigation is based on determining the
reasons for the police not being able to address the manufacturing and supply
of illegal substances, in addition to the use, possession and dealing thereof;
and terminate the operation of these premises.
“I’d like to firstly thank all those that have already made
submissions. This information will assist us in uncovering why SAPS is unable
to prevent these illicit activities from destroying our communities. This
investigation is very important, and I’d like to encourage those that have not
yet made submissions to urgently do so, as their contributions will go a long
way in eradicating this evil from our society,” said Western Cape’s Police
Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen.
“We acknowledge that SAPS in our province is grossly
under-resourced, due to a failure of national government to adequately deploy
the required resources to our province. The boots on the ground are doing their
best to combat crime. It is however our Constitutional oversight responsibility
to hold SAPS accountable where they might not effectively protect our people,
and this is one mechanism that we’re utilising, so that we’re all better placed
to ensure that drug houses are immediately closed down,” he added.
Submissions can be sent via email to ombudsman@wcpo.gov.za
before 20 May 2022.
PICTURED: WCPO LogoDone By: Mitchum George
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