Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, confirms to OFM News that the alleged drug dealer in the small community outside Tweespruit has two cases registered against his name. One is for possession of stolen property belonging to the Mantsopa Local Municipality - in the form of steel used at a nearby feeding lot - and the other for drugs. The former case is now with the courts, whereas the latter has been dropped, infuriating residents.
 
OFM News previously reported that on Monday morning residents protested outside the house of the alleged drug dealer, demanding that law enforcement officials at the Tweespruit police station, under which the area falls, must attend to the issue. 

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One of the leaders at the forefront of the demonstration, Karel van Wyk, told OFM News that the most recent arrest and subsequent release of the drug lord in question was the final straw for the community. Anna van Wyk, Yvette Henry, Laurika Pretorious, and Jane Jacobs say they have had enough with this alleged dealer and want him to leave the peaceful community.
 
It's alleged the drug dealer was arrested last week Wednesday, 29 September, and was released two days later from police custody. Makhele says according to the prosecutor the suspect cannot be arrested for possession because he was found on the street, not on his property and although he is staying alone, police don't have proof that he is dealing because no one came forward as a buyer.
 
The community is of the view that these drugs are at the centre of a bigger network of criminal activity: stock theft, rape, and murder. At present, the situation in the area is calm. Police reportedly dispersed the angry crowd earlier in the morning. Seemingly, no arrests were made and no injuries were reported.

OFM News