WATCH: Prayer and candle lighting ceremony held for Rhodes Park victims
"We must stop crime before it comes to our doorsteps."
On November 23, the Department of Women in partnership with the South African Council of Churches and the community of Kensington attended a prayer and candle lighting ceremony in Rhodes Park.
The aim of the ceremony was to claim back the park after the horrific incident that took place last month, when two men were killed and a woman raped.
“We are taking back this beautiful park. These parks are supposed to be places of tranquility for the public.
“We are here tonight to light these candles and bring back the light to Rhodes Park after the horrific incident, and also commemorate the two lives that were lost here and show our support to the two women affected by this incident,” said the Minister in the Presidency responsible for women’s issues, Susan Shabangu.
Minister Shabangu challenged the community to report criminals and crimes.
“We have developed the ‘I don’t care’ and ‘mind your own business’ attitudes which adds to criminal behaviour. We keep quiet about the crimes we witness because we are too scared, and the same people we protect end up committing bigger crimes.
“We must stop crime before it comes to our doorsteps,” said Minister Shabangu.
The prayer was led by Reverend Gift Moerane, from the South African Council of Churches.
The laying of wreaths was led by Minister Shabangu, together with the MEC of Community Safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane and Provincial Commissioner Lesetja Mothiba.
“This is a tribute to the people who lost their lives in the park. My concern is what are we doing tomorrow to protect the people because people are not safe on the streets,” said the ward 66 councillor, Clr Carlos Da Rocha.
He was pleased to see people using the park again.
“The park is safe again as Stallion Security has been patrolling the park for free. Businesses around Kensington are helping with the patrolling initiative. The community has also come together and showed the criminals that Rhodes Park is a community park and they, the criminals, will not take it away,” said Clr Da Rocha.
“This festive season, we will not allow bad behaviour in the park. If people misbehave they will be thrown out of the park. The park will continue to be closed at 6pm,” said Clr Da Rocha.
