Application for eviction at notorious ‘drug house’

The George Municipality is applying for eviction of the illegal occupiers of the infamous "drug house". This was confirmed this week by Senior Communications officer Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe.

The planned eviction will be done in terms of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction (Pie) Act. "The matter will be heard as soon as service on the owner has been completed," said Mangqwengqwe.

This latest development is a light in a very long and dark tunnel that residents and business owners in Cathedral Street have been dealing with for some years. The dilapidated house, which is close to some primary and high schools in the area, has been described as a nest for drug addicts, dealers, prostitutes and gangsters.

According to a business owner who has been complaining about the situation for years, drug deals occur daily in front of the house and living conditions are appalling. Break-ins at neighbouring businesses are also almost a daily occurrence. Rumours of school children being seen going in and out of the house, have also been making the rounds.

"The yard is filthy, there are little children living there, it's dilapidated and the constant stench of raw sewage and human faeces is driving us mad. The occupants of the house are constantly screaming, swearing and fighting in the street," he said.

Local police have performed many raids and drug-related arrests on the premises and in January this year, the body of a man who allegedly died of tuberculosis, was removed from the premises.

A time frame for the planned eviction could not be confirmed.