A 53-year-old worker from Emfuleni Local Municipality was recently arrested for selling cough medicine to school children in Vanderbijlpark.
The arrest was carried out by Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, commonly referred to as the ‘Green Beans’ or ‘Panya Panyas’. The man was apprehended at Vanderbijlpark Library, where he was found with a duffle bag filled with cough syrup that he was allegedly selling to school kids.
These children mix the cough syrup with soft drinks to create a dangerous substance that makes them feel ‘high’. This harmful practice has unfortunately become common among children in the area.
Sergeant Gertrude Makhale, a provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and stated that the suspect has been charged under the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965.
Meanwhile, The New Horizon Movement (NHM), a coalition party in Emfuleni Local Municipality, has contacted the municipal manager, April Ntuli, requesting updates on the actions taken regarding the employee’s arrest.
NHM’s Mpho Khang emphasized the importance of fair and thorough investigation by suggesting the following steps: formal charges against the implicated employee, immediate suspension if not already in effect, and issuing a transparent press statement to address the incident and uphold the municipality’s reputation.
Khang stressed that it’s vital to restore community trust and demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing such matters responsibly.