Father of toddlers locked up in alleged drug haven released

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LINMEYER – The father of two children, estimated at one and a half and four years old, who were found hungry and dehydrated in a locked up room, has been released by Moffatview SAPS.

According to a member of the Linmeyer CPF, he was notified by police officers of the release when he enquired about the progress on the arrests made during an eviction. The reason behind the alleged release was “insufficient evidence” to prove that the children were in fact neglected.

Moffatview SAPS Communications Officer Constable Bila said she would investigate the allegations on the eviction, arrests and releases of the father, whose room contained a packet of the nyaope drug.

The children were discovered om the day of evictions were carried out at a hijacked house in Linmeyer on October 7, which was suspected by police and residents for some time to be a drug den and brothel operated by unknown Nigerians.

The father of the two young children was identified as the parent by other illegal squatters, who were protesting the eviction. Concerned police officers bought the boys food and drink, which they munched and drank in silence.

Both the children appeared to be unwashed and the four-year-old had a burn wound on his foot. Child services were notified about the two and the horrifying conditions they were found in.

When their father was arrested by police for child negligence, an old woman, who had approached police before claiming the children were hers, and was found to be lying about her claim, was visibly upset and screamed at the arresting officers.

However, it was established by police officers that the old woman was not even a resident at the house taken over by criminals; she stayed in a house nearby. Some even suspected that the woman may be a paid spotter for the Nigerian drug dealers.

Another man was also arrested, when a packet of nyaope drug was found in his rented room. He was also allegedly released by Moffatview police, because the Linmeyer CPF had given too much information to the CHRONICLE. This was the reasoning the Linmeyer CPF said was given by officers.

Linmeyer residents have known the house on South Rand Road and Martha Street to be a busy brothel and drug den. They witnessed prostitutes parading up and down the streets and taking clients into the house.

Residents reported that children from surrounding areas purchase drugs from the Nigerians, who operate openly and with complete disregard for neighbours and residents.

Some residents have claimed that police officers have been seen at the known brothels that also operate as drug houses, and instead of arrests taking place an exchange of bribes took place.