Residents' action lead to drug bust

A foreign national woman was arrested after drugs and cash were discovered at a house in Summer Greens at the weekend, said police.

This follows a standoff between residents and a tenant who refused to vacate the property.

Summer Greens Residents' Association(SGRA) vice-chairwoman Rose Matassa said residents had gathered at the house in Summer Greens Drive on Saturday, September 13, to assist the elderly owner, who had been trying to reclaim her home.

According to Ms Matassa, the pensioner had rented the house to the woman for years but wanted to sell the property. 

Despite a court-issued eviction notice in early August, the tenant allegedly refused to move out and demanded R20 000 to leave.

“She was not paying rent and wanted R20 000 from the pensioner to move out of her own house. This is bribery, so we decided to step in,” said Ms Matassa.

She said that the woman had been subletting the property and had left it in poor condition. When residents asked her to open the garage to check for tenants or belongings, she refused, sparking a confrontation.

Law enforcement and police were called to the scene, where drugs and large sums of cash were found.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that a 49-year-old Nigerian woman was arrested after officers recovered drugs and an undisclosed amount of money hidden in the house.

She appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 15, on charges of dealing in drugs, and was released on R5 000 bail. She is due back in court in 2026.

Ms Matassa said crime and illegal developments in Summer Greens were driving down property values and contributing to overcrowding.

“Residents are fed up. This will affect our future generations  -  and now even drugs are being uncovered right under our noses. It's time to stand up now,” she said.