PRETORIA - A dagga bush is growing along the boundaries of the presidential guest house in Pretoria.

And officials from a city improvement organisation say it is evidently being allowed to grow because the ground around it has recently been cleared.

The bush, which has freshly turned soil and almost no weeds around it, leans against one of the two security fences near the Stanza Bopape (Church) Street security fences of the Sefako Mapogo Makgatho Residence.

On Tuesday, members of the public, who had noticed the bush between the fences, said it had suddenly stood out after the piece of land was cleared two months ago.

While presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj expressed shock at the idea of the illegal, addictive and intoxicating drug growing near the guest house, he referred all enquiries to the department of Public Works, whose responsibility it is to take care of the grounds.

The department’s spokesperson, Thamsanqa Mchunu, confirmed the department’s responsibility to care for the grounds, but said no one was allowed to cultivate a drug on the property. — IOL News