Nyaope finally declared an illegal drug
People found dealing in or in possession of Nyaope or other such altered drugs can now be prosecuted.
This is according to the Department of Justice.
This came after Justice minister Jeff Radebe and Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi signed off on the amendment of the Drugs and Trafficking Act on March 28.
Prior to the act being amended, there were no laws in place to deal with new narcotics created by modifying a substance’s chemical structure, or finding chemicals with entirely different chemical structures that produced similar effects.
Justice and Constitutional Development spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said, in terms of the act, if you are found in use or possession of these illegal substances or concoction, you will be given a fine or jail term up to 15 years.
Meanwhile, those that are convicted of dealing in these substances can get a fine or 25 years’ imprisonment.
Nyaope is a cheap street drug cocktail, which has dagga and heroin as its main ingredients, mixed with ARV’s, rat poison, sugar and other substances.
Mhaga mentioned that in the case of Nyaope, a person could also be charged for unlawfully being in possession of antiretrovirals and heroin.
Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, welcomes the legislative amendments declaring Nyaope an illegal drug.
“The move clearly demonstrates that government is on course in winning the war on Nyaope,” says Mazibuko in a media statement.
She mentions that intensified operations by law enforcement agencies will begin to yield desired outcomes in ensuring increased conviction rates for Nyaope peddlers and users alike.
Her department would help rehabilitate those willing to live a drug-free life.
According to Mzibuko, more than 280 addicts had gone through the department’s rehabilitation programme since 2011.
“An additional 150 (addicts) enrolled to pursue skills development in beauty therapy, computer courses, sound engineering, and conflict management,” she adds.
“On completion of the courses, they will be able to start their own businesses, find suitable employment and some deployed in a school safety programme to offer motivational speaking to other young people in conflict with the law.
