In partnership with several NGOs and other government departments, the SAPS Boksburg and Reiger Park social crime prevention units organised an awareness campaign to make residents of Jerusalem and Delmore informal settlements aware of the scourge of substance abuse and domestic violence in the areas.
Among the attendees of the campaign held on September 15 were members of the community and their community leaders, representatives of SAPS, Department of Social Development, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), City of Ekurhuleni, The Local Drug Action Committee of Ekurhuleni (LDAC) and several local NGOs including Bokamoso Educational Centre, Ketsolesedi Youth Development Centre, Angelo Foundation, and Masibambaneni Care Centre.
The Department of Health’s mobile vaccination unit was also on site to provide vaccination to residents of the area, as well as attendees.
As part of the public awareness campaign, attendees embarked on a march escorted by police vehicles along Wit Deep Road. They were chanting anti-drugs and struggle songs while waving placards and banners.
The crowd then proceeded to a spot next to the main road where attendees gathered and enjoyed the other festivities, including live music and an address by the guest speakers, who highlighted the effects of substance abuse and domestic violence on families and communities.
Also Read: Domestic violence: there is a way out!
Residents, young people and women in particular, were urged to refrain from using drugs, engaging in crime and encouraged to speak out on any abuse, whether at home or on the streets.
Violent crime is rife
The leaders pointed out that it was recently discovered there is a resident who had been sexually abusing his 11-year-old stepdaughter over the past couple of years.
In another case, a mother locked her children, aged two, four and eight, inside a shack and travelled to Limpopo. The children were left on their own without enough food and other basic needs.
Boksburg SAPS spokesperson Sgt Nstako Ledwaba confirmed both incidents, saying a rape case was registered and is being investigated by the SAPS FCS unit. The matter about the other three abused children was referred to social workers, who have already removed the children and placed them in a place of safety.
Lack of policing over the weekends
In an exclusive interview with the Advertiser, residents aired their grievances about what they call poor policing by the Boksburg SAPS over the weekends.
According to one of the community leaders, Nthabiseng Swartz, victims, of who most are women, are sexually violated and robbed by criminals during weekend break-ins.
However, when the police are called they apparently say they don’t have enough resources to deal with the spike in complaints.
Dangerous gangs
Swartz also pointed out that the informal settlements are ravaged by gangs of thugs mostly over the weekends. They apparently break into people’s homes to rob and sometimes rape their victims.
“This crime situation has prompted us to take matters into our hands and patrol the streets, mostly during the nights.
“However, we still need support from the police as they are fully trained on how to deal with dangerous criminals.”
The community leaders, however, commended the initiative aimed at raising awareness on domestic violence and drugs.
“We really appreciate such efforts, as it encourages more people to speak out and report any form of abuse they witness or being done to them.”
Also Read: Difficult conversations: How to talk to your teen about drugs
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