Gauteng ANC wants law enforcement to crack down on drug cartels in province

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng wants law enforcement to crack down on drug cartels allegedly operating in the province.

The call follows allegations by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that Gauteng was at the centre of a massive drug syndicate involving people in power.

The provincial ANC leadership weighed in on Mkhwanazi’s allegations at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Mkhwanazi claimed that police had uncovered a drug cartel centred in Gauteng that was allegedly linked to members of the judiciary, prosecutors and even Parliament.

This has sparked concerns over the government’s ability to dismantle such syndicates, especially given allegations that key institutions meant to uphold the rule of law may have been infiltrated.

READ: CoJ's Tshwaku says there is some credence in allegations Gauteng's drug dealers protected

ANC Gauteng co-convenor, Hope Papo, acknowledged the seriousness of Mkhwanazi’s claims but insisted that provincial police were doing their best.

"Gauteng has been closing some of the drug factories even before Mkhwanazi announced. There are a number of factories that were impounded by police in Gauteng. If there are more, they must be shut down and those who are involved must be arrested, charged and sentenced to jail."

He said Premier Panyaza Lesufi hasd always shown a strong commitment to fighting crime and believes he will continue to do so in this case.