Parents and children protest against drugs

Parents and their children took to the streets of Sophiatown to protest against drug trafficking on 8 January while police said that they would form a task team to deal with the problem in the area.

Parents were angry that their children are allegedly used to transport and sell drugs by kingpins.

Residents called on the police to take action against drug traffickers in the community.

They also demanded that drug traffickers vacate the area.

One of the protesting mothers, who would not be named, said some of the children using drugs are aged nine.

“These children have easy access to drugs because they are sold to them by adults in their primary schools and by some of their fellow children in the schools,” said the mother.

Parents said for years, they have been trying to fight this but it is not an easy fight as the perpetrators are among them and live close to these vulnerable children.

Children also took to the local flats to protest against drugs in the hope of gaining more support.

They waved placards reading, Stop the drugs, Drug free and Close all corners.

The Sophiatown Community Policing Forum deputy chairperson Carol Sallie said they were approached by groups of angry residents complaining about drugs in the area that are allegedly destroying their children.

“We are going to try work together with the community to try to end drug trafficking in Sophiatown,” said Sallie.

She said they were also worried about the future of their children who find it easy to access these dangerous drugs.

Sophiatown Police’s head of visible policing Colonel Madelein Bunce said they were aware of the problems.

“We had a meeting with the community where they raised all the problems,” said Bunce.

She said they were currently forming a task team consisting of police and residents to help tackle the problem.

Related articles:

Cops impressed with major drugs bust 

Police colonel busted for drug trafficking and corruption 

Major gun and drug bust