POLICE TAKE OUR MEDICINE [Letter to the editor]

Dwaalboom – Police officers from Dwaalboom and Mahwelereng accompanied by military police and soldiers searched each person they came across in our community. They also searched houses in Dwaalboom and the Baipei settlement. Any marijuana plants that were found in private yards were removed without asking the owner’s permission. I planted marijuana, not for scientific reasons, but for traditional medicinal use. To come onto a person’s private property and remove their plants without any discussion, is disrespectful and a human right’s abuse. I also question why a Quantum bus marked Mahwelereng Police would travel more than 300km for such an operation in our area, Dwaalboom? Even soldiers, what do they want in our area as Dwaalboom is a peaceful “bosveld” where we don’t experience major crimes? Should the soldiers not be protecting the national borders? Even cell phone theft does not occur here. We don’t even have nyaupe addicts. Matlapeng.