By Thabisile Khoza
Mbombela - Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has praised the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for declaring the use or sale of Nyaope illegal, saying it will curb crime.
The Justice Department first announced in March that it intended to classify Nyaope as an illegal drug through the amendment of the Drugs and Trafficking Act 1992(Act 140 of 1992), which was signed on March 28.
MEC Shongwe said this will assist in having those found dealing in the dangerous drug arrested.
The drug has had serious impact in the lives of young people, he said.
Anyone found selling the drug could face 25 years in prison while those found in possession of the drug could face 15 years.
"The community is urged to report those who deal with the drug to the police so that they could be arrested and face the consequences in jail.
"Communities must never be afraid to expose those people because drug abuse is negatively affecting the future of young people," he said.
Nyaope, which is also known as whoonga, is believed to be made out of a mixture of heroin and/or dagga, to which further controlled substances may or may not be added.
This concoction is also mixed with various extenders such as anti-retroviral drugs (used for AIDS treatment), milk powder, rat poison, bicarbonate of soda and pool cleaner. – SAnews.gov.za
