Drug dealer sentenced
The value of imbizos with the community is that they bring public servants to the heart of what keeps people from thriving.
An imbizo, it seems, also contributed to the recent conviction of a notorious drug dealer by members of the Da Gamaskop police and Langeberg K9 unit.
In a groundbreaking and focused investigation, Sibangisoni Bikani was charged on five counts of drug-related crimes, convicted and sentenced in September.
For five counts of dealing in tik, he received the following five sentences: to pay a fine of R1 500 or three months' imprisonment; six years' imprisonment; a fine of R2 000 or four months' imprisonment; eight years' imprisonment; and lastly, 10 years' imprisonment.
According to information from the police, Bikani's trade picked up over holiday times especially.
Bikani was denied bail after his arrest in JCC Camp in July 2016 and he remained in custody until he was sentenced last month. He was a first offender. Bikani's heavy sentence handed down by Magistrate Hendricks was welcomed by the Da Gamaskop police cluster commander, Brigadier Gerhard Jantjies.
He said: "Drugs are destroying our communities and, therefore, we need to reassess our focus. Instead of constantly bringing only the drug users to justice, we have to clamp down on the drug dealers. They are the ruthless ones, who are preying on the poorest of the poor through addiction."
"We need to clean up our communities. We want to send a clear message to the community: come forward. We want to help rid you of addiction."
Officers involved in this successful investigation and conviction were Wo Deon Louw of the Da Gamaskop police and Sgt JM Spangenberg from the Langeberg K9 unit.