Bring back SANAB

WHEN an unemployed man confesses to a Zululand Observer journalist that he spends R500 per day on his Whoonga addiction, the logical question immediately follows: Where does he get the money?

More importantly, where will it stop?

When the highly effective SANAB (South African Narcotics Bureau) was folded, Richards Bay became a burgeoning market for drug dealers.

Of all the poor decisions ever made by the powers that be, the dismantling of the specialised units count among the worst.

Then police commissioner, Jackie Selebi scrapped the highly effective, superbly trained specialised units because they were, in his opinion, operating in cocoons of expertise, only sharing their skills ‘when available and time permits’.

Seemingly without diligently studying international best practice, experts with a burning passion for their specific field, were haphazardly integrated into police stations.

Here they wasted their skill and talents on insignificant, run of the mill shop thefts, traffic violations, malicious injury to property and common assaults.

These should be investigated by junior members still cutting their teeth on cases where a botched investigation does not culminate in a killer, rapist or drug lord getting away scot free.

Members used to working closer than brothers with others of their units, were suddenly rudderless, lost their passion and purpose or went overseas.

The cream of the police force drained from the country as dedicated, experienced detectives left the service and started security companies – unfortunately as civilians with no arresting powers.

The immediate consequences of this decision was glaringly evident locally in the sudden escalation of specifically drug- related crime.

Decades ago, Richards Bay and surrounding area was virtually drug free with the exception of dagga, but following SANAB’s demise, every drug lord and his cohorts, flocked to Richards Bay, conveniently situated near virtually unprotected borders, a big city and a significant international harbour.

Organisations such as SANCA, LifeLine, Alcoholics Anonymous and the medical fraternity, helplessly deal with the growing number of drug addicts seeking treatment, and at increasingly younger ages.

Where community members previously knew who and where to report drug activities, they now have nowhere to turn to, because drug investigations are so specialised, that it cannot be done by ordinary members.

They have given up on reporting the same people year after year operating with impunity in their neighbourhoods.

The solution is simple. Bring back SANAB. ASAP.