Alex joins Sports Against Crime campaign
ALEXANDRA – Safety department looks to sport to help halt crime.
The unifying power of sport was at play in Alex during the Sports Against Crime campaign held at the Altrec Sports Complex.
The campaign’s aim is to fight crime said to be unrelenting in the province by strengthening community-police relations. It’s an initiative of the Gauteng Province’s Department of Community Safety, partnered with Alex police, members of the South African Democratic Teacher Union (Sadtu), NPO Bokamoso and local youths who engaged in soccer and netball games and other sporting codes.
The campaign is also linked to the department’s schools safety programme which gives safety tips for schools and schoolchildren against gangs and drugs.
The department’s Hlulani Mashaba said they hoped the initiative – which has already been run in Twa Twa, Boksburg, Soshanguve, Bophelong, Westbury and Sophiatown – will improve communities interaction and restore their trust in the police.
“It’s imperative to ensure good working relations are maintained going forward,” Mashaba said. “We are optimistic that the collaboration will help to eradicate crime in our society as most young people who attend the campaigns are taken away from the streets.”
Tebogo Malatji, a Sadtu member, commended the event. “It should be continuous and conducted on weekends to be fully inclusive of all stakeholders. Crime is a collective challenge requiring a united approach to eradicating it,” she said.
Constable Iddah Morovhi of the Alex police urged for unity between the police and all stakeholders to encourage community members to report criminals without fear. The camapign is also supported by actors, sports personalities and ex-offenders.
Details: Hlulani Mashaba 073 064 5863.
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