Thugs attack activists opposed to druglords
Community police forum heads targeted in Phoenix
ANTI-drug groups are coming under fire from brazen criminals in Phoenix.
This follows attacks on two community policing forum heads — who happen to be police officers — in the past two weeks.
Last Sunday Roland Maduray was accosted by six men, all alleged drug dealers, and assaulted. The attack occurred less than 50m from a school where a police imbizo was taking place.
Maduray believes he is being targeted because of his anti-drug campaign in Meadvale, Phoenix. “People come to me to tell me about the drug issues in the area. I do patrols during school hours and we sometimes find young girls in the drug dens.”
Maduray said the six men targeted his son and when he intervened, he was assaulted. “I managed to pull my firearm before they pulled me down. They saw the gun and dispersed.”
Two weeks ago, policeman Marlin Reddy was grabbed by an alleged addict in a moving vehicle and dragged about 10m down the road.
“The incident was totally unprovoked. I had no relationship with the suspect before the incident. That’s why it leads me to believe he was aware other residents in the area were coming to me, complaining of his behaviour,” Reddy said.
Days after last Sunday’s incident, police swooped on a drug den. Phoenix police, working with the K9 unit, found 104 straws of heroin, 43 packets of illicit cigarettes and about R80 000 in cash hidden behind a Hindu prayer lamp.
Two suspects, a 47-yearold woman and 20-year-old man, were arrested.
Mervin Reddy, a Phoenix pastor and local ANC member, said a group of religious leaders had banded together to help police in their fight against drugs.
“This was an initiative that came about after the death of Phoenix resident Brandon Pillay, who died as a result of drug issues in the area,” said the pastor.
“We cannot allow inno- cent lives to be caught in the crossfire any longer.”
Mervin Reddy has contacted Willies Mchunu, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, to discuss issues facing Phoenix.
“We plan to meet him and police in the area to help rid the community of the drug problem, much like the initiative in Chatsworth.”
Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane said police were planning a series of raids to eradicate drugs in the area.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Nathi Mncube did not respond to a request for comment.