Police Minister Bheki Cele on Tuesday has promised raids at an East London night club, California, following complaints from Duncan Village residents that it is a crime hotspot.
Furious residents expressed their outrage to the minister who was visiting the community at Gompo Stadium.
The community says drugs are being sold in the club and women are often raped. They also told Cele that the club was a popular hideout for suspects.
Some residents also accused the police of being in the pockets of drug dealers in the area and called on Cele to root out rotten apples within the service.
This was Cele's second visit to East London this month.
Addressing the residents, Cele said that liquor outlets that have veered from their operating licence will be closed immediately and promised to crack down on shebeens to check that they adhered to their licence conditions and by-laws.
"We have problems with shebeens that are given operating licence close to schools and churches because laws do not permit such. We are going to visit shebeens and check if what they are selling is according to their licence."
Cele promised to make sure that the Buffalo City Metro and other government departments deal with other societal ills that were raised. He also urged residents not to buy stolen goods as it tantamount to supporting criminal acts.
A mobile station will be delivered at Duncan Village next Monday. He said police will also work with schools to do random searches for drugs.
