Suspected drug dealer causes menace at flat

Sunday Mail Reporter

RESIDENTS at Shamrock Court in Eastlea, Harare, are living in fear after a suspected drug peddler threatened to harm tenants who have expressed concern over his illegal trade.

The flat is said to have become a haven for crystal meth, a dangerous drug that is being abused by many young people.

One resident said on complaining about the drug peddling, a petrol bomb was thrown into her home.

The suspected drug kingpin also wants to turn a section of the flats into a liquor outlet, further raising the ire of the residents.

“Only a fortnight ago, one of our tenants who has been vocal against the drug dealing and idea of establishing a bar at the flat nearly got burnt after someone threw a gas bomb into her house.

“She escaped death by a whisker as some sections of her house went up in flames,” said a concerned resident at the flat.

Another resident at the flat said there are suspicions the suspected drug peddler is “receiving protection”.

“He does as he pleases here, even though some of us bought these flats and have been here for decades. He has since mounted surveillance cameras to monitor what happens at the gate. We feel he is infringing on our rights to privacy,” said a resident at the flat who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation.

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said he needs time to verify if the allegations against the purported drug peddler are true.

Residents said they have since approached the Harare City Council after suspecting that the individual was controversially granted a liquor licence by the Liquor Licensing Board.

Contacted for a comment, an official from the Liquor Licensing Board, who only identified himself as Mr Dube, said they had given the go-ahead for the liquor outlet.

“I can confirm that we issued a licence to the dealer in question. This was after we had gone through all his papers. He had everything needed to get a licence.

“It is not our duty to go and inspect premises. It is the work of the local authority and other stakeholders,” he said.

However, Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende said council by-laws do not allow bottle stores at residential flats. “It could be the work of some bogus council officials going around to parcel out fake council certificates for people to operate bottle stores,” he said.