Western Cape welfare chief arrested for drugs

A senior director for social welfare in the Western Cape has been charged with drug possession after he was allegedly found with tik in his car.

Dave Mcnamara was arrested in the notorious Senator Park block of flats in the city centre in the early hours of June 28 last year, but the matter only came to light on Tuesday after Die Son newspaper reported on the case this week.

A tik straw and tik lolly were allegedly found in his pockets. He had been widely quoted in the media through the years about the Western Cape's drug problem.

Social development MEC Albert Fritz said he learnt of Mcnamara's arrest this week.

“The department has sought legal advice and is currently considering the most appropriate action,” he told the Cape Times newspaper.

He was expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court again in April.

Zodwa Mgwaza, the ANC’s spokeswoman for social development in the provincial legislature, said it was unclear how Fritz could have been kept in the dark about the matter for eight months.

“Substance abuse is a serious problem causing enormous suffering in the province," Mgwaza said.

“The DA must ensure the battle against drugs continues unharmed.”