Diepsloot residents are sinking deeper into drugs and alcoholism due to poverty, which then leads to high levels of crime in the area. This was revealed by the police during the presentation to the Gauteng Legislature Committee on Community Safety yesterday. 

ALCOHOL BLAMED FOR HIGH CRIME

The police said they identified 147 taverns and eight off-site drinking spots, urging the Gauteng Liquor Board to strengthen regulation and compliance in the area. They've blamed alcohol as a major crime contributor in Diepsloot, especially over the weekends. Johannesburg District Commissioner Max Masha said substance and alcohol abuse are a major concern. "The liquor outlets numbers are high and we think those liquor outlets are contributing to some of the crime that is happening over the weekends. When people are supposed to be relaxing, that is when they are hurting each other." Masha said.

SOLUTIONS

Masha added that as the police, they need the government to pull their weight and intervene in addressing socio-economic issues. " We need the Gauteng Liquor Board to regulate the high number of liquor outlets and liquor compliance, the Gauteng Gambling Board to assist with illegal gambling machines in taverns, spaza shops and supermarkets and the Department of Human Settlements to formalise the area, the Department of Education to strengthen security at the schools, the Department of Social Development to address socio-economic aspects, the Department of Home Affairs to improve border control," Masha said. He said that hotspot areas like Diepsloot have been assigned extra capacity for this festive period. On 1 December,  seven young men were found burnt beyond recognition in extensions 12 and 13. The group was allegedly killed by CPF, who accused them of being behind a spate of crime in the area.