Nyaope to be criminalised
2013-02-27 21:08
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Johannesburg
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Johannesburg - Nyaope is in the processes of being
classified as an illegal drug, a justice official said on Wednesday.
"The department... is in the process of amending the
Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992 with a view to ensuring that those
arrested for possession and dealing in the substance referred to as nyaope or
wunga are successfully prosecuted," spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said in a
statement.
"This is in the wake of the escalating rate of
abuse, which is also believed to be the cause of some heinous crimes..."
Nyaope is a cocktail of, among other things, rat poison,
dagga, heroin and antiretroviral medication. It is mainly used by teenagers.
It appeared around 2007 on the streets of the Tshwane townships
of Soshanguve, Atteridgeville and Mamelodi.
Mhaga said heroin and dagga, the main narcotic
ingredients of nyaope, are listed in the act as undesirable,
dependence-producing substances.
"This legislation prohibits the use, possession,
production and commercialisation of an undesirable, dependence-producing
substance."
He said use or possession of the substances was
punishable with a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 years.
Dealers could be fined or imprisoned for up to 25 years.
"While it is true that prosecution for possession
and dealing in nyaope is legally impossible, people found in possession may be
prosecuted if the substance has other prohibited drugs like heroin and dagga,
as they are illegal drugs in terms of the act."
He said the department was in consultation with the
health department to look at the possibility of amending the act to expand its
applicability.
"This amendment is in line with typical legislation
adopted in foreign jurisdictions like the US, Australia and UK to address the
designer drug issue."
Last Wednesday, Gauteng Social Development MEC Nandi
Mayathula-Khoza said the non-classification of nyaope as an illegal drug was
undermining crime-fighting efforts.
She said users often led disorganised lives, terrorised
their families, and committed theft.
Mayathula-Khoza said the classification of nyaope as an
illegal drug would help prevent crimes associated with the substance.
- SAPA
