Community wants an Elsburg free of crime and drugs

The community of Elsburg once again took to the streets in a march against drugs and crime.

February 27, 2020

Melissa Hart 2 minutes read

Elsburg community members took to the streets of Elsburg last Saturday in the Elsburg Community March Against Drugs and Crime. They want to put an end to drugs and crime in the suburb.

“We want to reclaim the streets of Elsburg, street by street, building by building.”

These are the words of Prince Rulashe, the convenor of the Elsburg Community March Against Drugs and Crime, which took to the streets of Elsburg last Saturday.

Community and Elsburg CPF members came together to take a stand and show that they are tired of the crime and drugs in their suburb.

The community has already held a number of meetings centred on the topics of crime and drugs and they held their first march in November, last year.

This time the march was also in memory of Laticia Jansen, who was murdered after allegedly being raped a day before her 15th birthday in January.

The community gathered at the Elsburg Town Hall and then set off with a specific purpose in mind to deliver a memorandum to the owner of Zenith building.

Owner of the building Siyabonga Khumalo accepted the memorandum from the residents.

The list of demands in the memorandum included the closure of a tavern as the community alleged the tavern does not have a liquor licence, as well as the closure of the barber shop as the community claimed drug dealers sell drugs and hide inside the shop.

Khumalo told the GCN that he sees nothing wrong with the community’s memorandum.

“The community needs to clean up the area and I feel as building and business owners in the area we need to help them,” he said.

Drugs a serious concern for Elsburg residents

“I own the building then rent out the space to business and flat tenants and I do understand where the community is coming from.

“I am also frustrated that drugs are being sold around my building by people on the streets.

“I refute the allegation that drugs are being sold by one of my tenants.

“The barber shop tenant is upset as he alleges the drug dealers sit outside his shop and scare his clients away, he is not selling drugs or hiding drug dealers.”

Amelia Loggenberg and Evert Kleinhans are saying no more drugs and crime in Elsburg. They participated in the Elsburg Community March Against Drugs and Crime last Saturday.

Khumalo said that he wants to work with the community and he has already engaged with his tenants about the problems.

“I want a peaceful Elsburg,” he said.

The community of Elsburg will continue with their campaign until the streets of Elsburg are safe for one and all.

The Elsburg SAPS recently joined forces with members of the Central Bikers Church and other churches, the CPF and the Elsburg SAPS Victim Empowerment Centre (VEC) to do campaigns in identified streets to say no to drugs and substance abuse.

“Specific streets were identified, namely Voortrekker, Els and Kruger streets, prior to the roll-out of the campaigns and raids on liquor outlets,” said Const Daphney Phooko, communications officer for the Elsburg SAPS.

“During the raids of the liquor outlets one suspect was arrested for dealing in liquor without a licence, a fine was issued and the place was closed down.

“The awareness to address the drug problem in our area started in 2018 and we are continuing to do so.

“Community members are encouraged to report any illegal activities they identify in the area to the police to help us rid the area of crime so they may live in a safe and secure place.”