TIK: COP APPEARS IN COURT

A police inspector has appeared in court in connection with the
discovery of large quantities of "tik" or methamphetamine.

The policeman and two others were each released on R400 bail after
appearing in Mitchell's Plain Magistrate's Court on Friday. They face
charges of possession and alternatively dealing drugs.

Johnny Winston Kenneth Lewis, based at Mitchell's Plain detective
branch, appeared with John Louw and Duran Stripp. They were not asked
to plead.

They were arrested on Thursday by police monitoring a known drug house
in Outeniqua Street, Tafelsig.

Lewis, Louw and Stripp arrived in Lewis's private vehicle. After
police searched the car, the men were arrested.

Makhaya Mani, spokesman for Community Safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane,
said: "It is disappointing to find police officers who apparently
would want to supplement their salaries by allowing themselves to be
used by drug lords.

Such police officers will have to be exposed and dealt
with."

Last week thousands of placard-waving schoolchildren marched through
Tafelsig and other areas of Mitchell's Plain to protest against tik.

Parents and community workers have voiced their concern about the
lethal drug, which is reportedly being used by children as young as
eight.

Mitchell's Plain resident April Engelbrecht, a legal consultant and
community worker, said: "According to the community, there are
apparently police linked to drug syndicates in various areas."

The policeman's arrest comes as the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre
says tik abuse among its clients had risen from 1% to 48% last month.

Director Grant Jardine said tik abuse was the greatest challenge
facing the centre. "This increase is like nothing we've seen before."

The arrest of the policeman follows that of City Police member
Franklin Pamphlin last month when police entered a suspected drug
house in Kleinvlei.

Drugs and suspected stolen goods, worth an estimated R100 000, were
found on the premises.

Pamphlin appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court with several
other men on charges of possession of drugs and suspected stolen
goods. The men are out on bail and their trial is due next month.