Large drugs haul in raid on illegal liquor outlets

Drugs, including heroin and cocaine, were confiscated during the inspection of close to 17000 liquor outlets across Limpopo.

The provincial safety department is now pushing for the shutdown of unlicensed outlets, especially those near schools amid growing concerns over peddling of illicit drugs.

This was revealed by MEC for safety Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana when tabling her budget vote in the provincial legislature in Lebowakgomo yesterday.

Mokaba-Phukwana said the inspection of over 16849 liquor outlets resulted in a massive confiscation of drugs including nyaope, crystal meth, mandrax and heroin.

"We have made recommendations to the Liquor Board to close liquor outlets planted near schools and churches," she said.

Mokaba-Phukwana said efforts were being made to stop illicit substances from coming into the country through new scanner technology currently being used at the Beit Bridge border post.

This resulted in the confiscation of drugs worth over R1.3-million and over 8-million cartons of illicit cigarettes, among other things.

The department plans to allocate the bulk of its R95-million 2016/17 budget to civilian oversight which amounts to about R53-million, while R43-million has been allocated to administration.

Mokaba-Phukwana said the department would not ignore rampant prison escapes and inmate deaths, adding that the recent killing of two inmates at Botlokwa police station was unacceptable. She said gangsterism was rife in correctional facilities in the province.

"The report that they allegedly died from inmate fights gives a discouraging picture about our correctional centres," she said.

There was drama in the legislature when EFF members walked out following disagreements over a comment by party representative Matome Machaka.

Earlier, Machaka asked speaker of the legislature Polly Boshielo to protect speakers from disruptions, saying there were mosquitoes which needed to be fumigated with the insect repellent Doom on one side of the room.

There was laughter in the house, and some members took offence and accused Machaka of using insulting language.

Boshielo then requested Machaka to withdraw the words "mosquito and Doom" or leave the house.

"If you are not going to withdraw, I'm going to ask you to leave the house," Boshielo said.

Machaka refused to withdraw the statement and proceeded to exit the legislature along with the other EFF members.

mahopoz@sowetan.co.za

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