“The Gauteng government is pleading with you to bring those children who are going through difficulties of nyaope or other drugs to us. We are taking them to rehabilitation for three full months – free of charge.”
Those are the words of Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, during his address at Huntersfield Stadium on Freedom Day.
He said the Gauteng government is going to train recovering drug addicts and when they return to the community, they would have skills of installing solar panels. They will recruit those that are fit to join the police force so that they can be better people in society at the same time.
Lesufi said nyaope has destroyed children and no family can say it does not affect them.
“We cannot fold our arms and say nyaope has defeated us. I say together we will defeat nyaope in this province and change our children to be better people.”
He said if they want to go back to university after rehabilitation, this government will pay for their university fees free of charge so that they are armed with the skills to survive.
Lesufi’s address was met with criticism by some of the Kathorus residents and NGOs dealing with alcohol and drug abuse.
Tsietsi Dube, a resident from Palm Ridge Section, Katlehong, said it is hard to believe any promise that government makes because it has proved on many occasions it is just talk.
He said many young people have been waiting for a chance to go to rehab, and some have lost hope.
Lucky Bokaba from Vosloorus questioned how the government would achieve this while they have failed to support existing NGOs that have been helping to recover drug users for years.
The founder of the Tsohang Youth Project, Moses Gama, said people are tired of all the talk. They want rehabilitation centres, adequately resourced treatment centres and halfway houses to transform lives, not just conversations.
“Today the premier is talking about nyaope and calling people to come to government. He is not saying it is Freedom Day. As we celebrate, here is a rehab that has been built,” said Gama.
“Instead, he is still promising to take children to rehab. Which rehabs is he referring to? At the moment, many young people registered last year between December and March and they are still waiting.
“Where is the freedom when our people are using drugs and alcohol if they are dependent on drugs and alcohol? It means they cannot think for themselves. They cannot take informed decisions or choices and cannot be productive in terms of their lives and taking the country forward.”
He said they do not want to depend on the government and that is why they encourage people to do this for themselves as a community.
“There is a hall in Vosloorus called the civic centre. It has a plaque which says that the community built the hall during apartheid. The apartheid or the current government did not build it.
“Just imagine if one household can contribute R70 or R50, we can then build a rehabilitation centre tomorrow.”
Gama said waiting for handouts is tiring. “People must do things for themselves and their communities.”
Lesufi said the 6 000 recruits of crime wardens will help remove drugs and dagga dealers in the townships.
