Residents pray against drugs, crime, gangsters

With crime, drugs and gangsterism on the rise in Mankweng, a community initiative against crime and drugs called Motswikitswiki held a prayer session at a community hall in the area on Saturday to pray against the scourge.
The group was established in 2015 with the aim to fight crime in Mankweng and surrounds and according to its chairperson, Tebogo Matsetela crimes such as armed robbery, murder and drug abuse, especially the dangerous and highly addictive street drug, nyaope, have become a real problem in the community.
He said they patrol the streets with the assistance of the Police and other law enforcement units such as security personnel stationed at the University of Limpopo. Matsetela stated that the prayer session followed the death of nine youngsters in the community within a period of about 12 months who were murdered due to their involvement in crime related activities.
He added that the group had opened criminal cases and helped the Police arrest perpetrators. He explained that Motswikitswiki won all the cases they had opened against criminals and this was a massive achievement.
“Apart from opening criminal cases against drug addicts and criminals, we also work with rehabilitation centres and religious leaders from different churches to assist those who are willing to change and become better people.
We do get the support from residents but it is not enough because some of the community members still work with criminals against us but we won’t give up until our community is safe,” Matsetela stressed.
He concluded by saying the group consists of people who work for different law enforcement agencies hence whatever they do is guided by the law, adding that they will never rest until Mankweng is crime and drug free.

Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za