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DRUG houses are continuing to flourish in Muizenberg despite the Muizenberg Improvement District (MIDs) spending at least R692 000 over four years on security and meeting with high-ranking police officials.

The People's Post has viewed video footage ta-ken by the Mountain Men of drug deals taking place at a house in Killarney Road, a house in Fraser Road and at the Bonray Court flats on Frankfort Road.

And last week, a Muizenberg resident was threatened with having her throat slit by a Congolese man who is believed to be controlling the houses. It is not the first time that residents have been threatened.

The man has previously been charged with six counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and six counts of malicious damage to property.

The video footage includes footage of a customer who was recently arrested for robbery and shows a constant flow of customers, and drug runners blatantly plying their trade. The problem is being exacerbated by friction between police and the Mountain Men, who were hired by the MIDs to provide a security service.

The Post is in possession of part of a dossier that was compiled last year by MIDs and the Mountain Men and sent to the SAPS area office. The outcome was a series of meetings in which the police agreed to improve performance.

The dossier includes at least 18 allegations against police of, among other things, assault, releasing suspects without charging them, incorrectly booking evidence and of victimisation of Mountain Men security officers.

One of the charges is being investigated by the Internal Investigations Department of the SAPS.

Muizenberg Police Station Commander Elizabeth Hermanus said she could not respond to questions in the press and said she would meet with MIDs to discuss the problems. She could not say if the police had a plan to deal with the drug houses.

Last year a Muizenberg police officer was reported to the station by the Mountain Men for alleged involvement in a drug-related incident.

The inspector was subsequently arrested by Mitchell's Plain Police and charged with possession of drugs. Superintendent Hermanus declined to say whether any disciplinary action was taken against the officer or whether the incident reported by the Mountain Men was investigated.

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