PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Ward 5 Councillor Samkelo Mangxaba and various other Bitou municipal role players stepped in after there was an outcry from Kwanokuthula residents about an alleged drug den that poses dangers for the community.
After complaints from residents of Mzayifani Street in Phase 2 about a house that was "in a very poor state", Mangxaba investigated himself.
He confirmed the allegations that the house is being used by drug abusers and serves as a centre for other criminal activities, and agreed that the house poses a health hazard to the occupant and neighbours.
''This confirmed the claim made by members of this community that there was a lot of illegal activity taking place in this house and it was a safety risk," said municipal spokesperson Andile Namntu.
Residents did not exaggerate when they said the house was "in a very poor state".
Mangxaba reported the matter to both the public safety and integrated waste management departments for immediate intervention. According to Namntu these departments conducted a clean-up of the house and its surroundings on Wednesday 19 January.
"Among the filthy rubble was a large volume of electrical cables. This is suspicious because we have had a rise in the number of cable theft incidents in Plettenberg Bay. Some items found also gave credence to the allegation that the house has been used as a drug haven by drug abusers as well as for criminal activity," Namntu said.
The Bitou Municipality carried out a clean-up at a house in Kwanokuthula after residents voiced their concern over safety and health hazards.
He added that the occupant of the property had also been reported for violent and abusive conduct and is allegedly considered a threat to the safety of neighbours. "The Bitou Municipality's law enforcement [department] is dealing with this matter."
Mangxaba, who was part of the clean-up operation, expressed his delight that the matter had been dealt with.
"We need to act against these kinds of spaces as they are not pleasant to the eye and pose a health and safety hazard. I have done a walkabout to identify other spaces like this one in Ward 5 and will submit it for action," he said.
A large volume of electrical cable was found in the house, which could possibly be linked to a spate of cable theft incidents in recent months.
Items that seem to point to drug use were also found in the house.
'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'
