A Mitchells Plain mother says her family is living in fear after a neighbour - a suspected drug merchant - allegedly petrol-bombed their bakkie two weeks ago.
She says Armien Anthony, who was busted for
R4.7 million worth of mandrax last year by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), believes she piemped him.
Gadija de Roos, 36, of Westgate, says tension with Anthony has been brewing for months and neighbours, friends and his own staff are warning them to watch their backs.
“This [feud] has been going on for a while now. He’s been telling people we piemped him. We didn’t even know he was busy with drugs,” Gadija says.
In June last year, the Hawks, in a crime intelligence operation with their Narcotics Enforcement Bureau and Crime Intelligence, swooped on the house in Martin Street, which yielded a haul of drugs worth a whopping R4.7m.
ACCUSED: Alleged drug mert Armien Anthony
Cops found more than
100 000 mandrax tablets stashed in an abandoned vehicle on Anthony’s property.
He’s expected back in court later this month on charges of dealing in drugs.
On 7 June, Gadija’s new Nissan Navara bakkie was petrol-bombed minutes after she saw Anthony passing her home, which she feels was no coincidence.
“A neighbour’s camera showed he passed a minute before the petrol bomb was thrown at the bakkie. It’s not a coincidence,” she says.
“Neighbours, friends and his own employees have been warning us against him, saying he believes the Hawks paid us because we have this new bakkie,” she says.
SCARED: Gadija de Roos says her neighbour petrol-bombed her brand-new Nissan Navara
“We worked hard and saved up to buy this brand-new vehicle, now we’re sitting with R50 000 worth of damages. We have to let the bakkie go for next to nothing.”
She says she fears for her safety and that of her family.
“I have three daughters, what if something happens to them? I am patrolling my yard at night,” she says.
“This is a lot to take in and everyone here is afraid of him. Since the petrol bomb, he has become more cocky and arrogant. I have been getting calls from numbers. I answer, nobody speaks. I call back immediately and the numbers don’t exist.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, confirmed a case of malicious damage to property has been opened for investigation.
The Daily Voice called Anthony on numbers provided since Monday, and also visited his home on Tuesday.
A woman, who identified herself as his wife, said he was not at home and also refused to give another contact number for Anthony.
The Daily Voice left contact details and a message for Anthony to respond to De Roos’s allegations, but received no response by time of print.
However, Anthony made contact with Daily Voice and declined to comment, stating: "I have no comment at this time".