Minister clears out EL ‘brothel’
Police take women, some underage, to a place of safety or send them home
POLICE Minister Fikile Mbalula pounced on a suspected brothel and three drug dens in Quigney, East London yesterday.
Acting as the clock counted down to the ANC’s huge 106th birthday celebrations this weekend, he led a police force raid which saw 18 women, some of them visibly underage, being told to leave the suspected brothel.
In a startling turn, senior police claimed the properties were owned by a former senior member of the force.
The minister also called for an urgent investigation into Buffalo City’s drug lords.
“There are many people who have been arrested in this process. We cannot coexist with crime. We must take action,” exhorted Mbalula in an interview with the Dispatch which attracted a dozen onlookers.
The Dispatch was present when Mbalula led police into the homes in Moore Street with national police commissioner General Khehla John Sitole and SAPS provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga close to his side.
The minister appeared astounded when he was told by officers that the three homes – regarded by local police as major drug dens – and a brothel, were owned by a former SAPS lieutenant-general.
The identity of the owner was not mentioned but the Dispatch heard a senior Hawks officer telling the minister that the property owner lived in Gonubie and visited the houses only to collect rent.
“All these houses must be closed. We cannot come here and then nothing happens,” said Mbalula.
Ntshinga said they would get hold of the owner of the three Quigney houses.
The Dispatch followed the minister inside and found eight rooms in two of the homes, each with a woman inside. Some were smoking, others were eating. Each room had a single bed. The rooms were strewn with clothing, newspapers and other items.
The police generals questioned the women, asking why they did not go home, their ages – to which one said “21” – were they at school, or working to which they replied ‘no’.
All said that if they could, they would leave.
One woman, aged 22, told Mbalula that she had been raped by a policeman. The minister told her to report this to the police with him.
The minister said: “These kids are in the employ for drugs. These kids are underage and will be taken care of. They will be taken to a safe house and some sent back home.”
The women were told to move out to where police transport was to take them away.
Vuyo Mhaga, the national police spokesman, said the minister went to Southernwood where he was shown a stolen vehicle which had been recovered. A building was also closed due to safety issues.
Two people were arrested after being found in possession of dagga and two for expired documents.
Lt-General Ntshinga applauded the action saying: “We are happy that the minister is here.
“We are going to continue cleaning these streets. I am happy we are able to save our youngsters.”