Is Durban the drug capital of the country?

With an estimated turnover of more than R1,4-billion, Durban's notorious Point area has the dubious distinction of having a drug industry worth half the agricultural production of the entire province - and it is controlled mainly by Nigerians. According to a report by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), South Africa has become the cocaine trafficking capital of Africa as West African criminal organisations have moved to take advantage of the country's borders and ports.

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency reported that Nigerian syndicates controlled about 80 percent of the illicit cocaine trade in South Africa and reports by the British police warn that Durban could become another Bogota, with a drug war over turf within the next five years.A 1999 study by the University of Natal's Indicator Project found that between 45 000 and 100 000 Nigerians were living in South Africa - most illegally.Superintendent Willie Louw, the head of Operation West, a joint project targeting West African syndicates, explained that the organisations operated like the Sicilian Mafia, with management structures and designated areas of operation. "They have a top structure with bosses in control and only trade in specific areas and do not move into each others' territories," Louw said.

There were also grey areas where anyone could operate, but the territories were closely guarded and several dealers had been killed by competitors. Louw also confirmed that the Nigerians had taken control of the drug trade in Durban, notably in the Point area, and had "smothered" other syndicates, which now buy from them. The Nigerians also control the sex trade in the city, acting as pimps and supplying prostitutes and their clients with drugs, mainly crack cocaine.Because of the intricate network of the syndicates, Nigerians operating legitimate businesses are often targeted by their countrymen and forced to pay protection money. In a recent incident, Nigerian national Titus Enekew was kidnapped by other Nigerians and a ransom of R100 000 was demanded.

But Enekew was saved by the police. One Nigerian was shot dead and several others were arrested in connection with the kidnapping. Although the Nigerians are also involved in other types of scams their main business appears to be drugs. The drug trade is a big business, with prices varying from R50 for a gram of crack to R450 for a shot of heroin. Police intelligence found that prostitutes and their clients spent between R1 000 and R8 000 a day, with around 200 prostitutes operating in the Point area. At least 34 buildings have been linked to drug peddling and police estimate that 10 dealers operate in each one.

The peddling of drugs at certain night-clubs in the Point district has an estimated turnover of up to R30 000 a night. In an effort to curb the drug trade, a joint metro police and national police task team has been established.

Source: Iol