A roadshow by the Randfontein Police, churches and local non-profit organisations was held recently to tackle problems such as drug abuse, domestic violence and gender-based violence.
According to Brigadier Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander, those are major problems in Randfontein.
The aim of this roadshow is to create awareness about these issues and to show cooperation between the police and the community. Mohlakeng, Toekomsrus and Randfontein CBD are the crime hot spots at the moment,” he said.
He added that the biggest problem with gender-based violence and domestic violence is that the victims, either women or men, withdraw their cases.
Another problem is motor vehicle theft, so they included the taxi ranks in their roadshow to create awareness about their safety.
“During the roadshow, we worked together with Mapogo A Mathamaga, the Traffic Department, Department of Health, South Africa Taxi Association, Proud Fathers, Women Against Women and Child Abuse, Rainbow FM, Hope Risen, a Mrs Africa finalist, Turn to Eternal Life Ministries and the Department of Community Safety,” he said.
According to Edward van Schalkwyk of Turn to Eternal Life Ministries, they drove in a truck around town, starting at the Randfontein Police Station and stopping along the way at the taxi rank near the train station, the taxi rank in the CBD, Westergloor and Toekomsrus.
“The aim was crime prevention and tackling crime that is being committed in these areas every day. We wanted to educate people on where to get help because that’s why most of these non-profit organisations and churches exist,” he added.