ActionSA promises to eradicate crime in Eldos
“We need to get children back into the classroom. When a child is not in the classroom, they are either using drugs or learning how to use a gun.”
Crime, gangsterism, drugs and substance abuse are on the priority list for ActionSA ahead of the seventh national elections since the dawn of democracy.
The party held an awareness campaign on May 19 on Main Road, Extension 1, Eldorado Park, demonstrating its stance against drugs. They also engaged and encouraged the public to vote for change, on May 29.
A brave well-known anti-drugs and social activist in the area, Dereleen James said tightening the Border Management Control will increase chances of stopping South Africa’s drug abuse challenge.
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She said most of the illegal drugs that make their way into communities were not manufactured in SA but they were brought in from other countries.
James is also a Team Fix SA member for substance and drug abuse, positioned by the party to be the voice against substance abuse in parliament.
“As ActionSA we understand that we need to review policies across 21 departments that need to play a role to assist users.
“When users come out of rehab, they return to the same environment without opportunities and jobs,” said James.
She further said it is time they activate the Department of Economic Development for it to support users.
“All government departments that have a role to play in addressing crime, drug abuse and gangsterism have to be brought in,” she said.
James said in education, their policy review revealed that many children have dropped out of school.
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“We need to get children back into the classroom. When a child is not in the classroom, they are either using drugs or learning how to use a gun.”
She described Extension 1 as one of the areas that are hard hit by drugs and substance abuse, as she explained that a lot of gang violence happens around the area.
“We are just here to say to the many families that lost their loved ones, families that have children sitting in jail, we saying we are here to share the ActionSA message with you.”
Funzi Ngobeni, Provincial Chairperson and premier candidate for ActionSA echoed James’s sentiments on high crime and gang violence in the area.
He reiterated that drugs do not only affect and damage the end-user but friends, families and the community bear the brunt of emotional trauma.
Ngobeni said this was one of their last campaign push before South Africans head to the polls to cast their votes.
“Our activists are in the area we are all speaking to voters that they need to come out and vote for change, the future of South Africa and future generations to come,” he noted.
Earl Thomas from Ward 68 said he believes that they must support each other because all communities experience the same problem.
“It is a big problem, almost every second-day youngsters are being shot, unemployment is rife and our young girls are turning to drugs because there are no job opportunities,” said Thomas.
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He altered that the change he would like to see in the communities and SA at large is the execution of the rule of law, emphasizing that once there is no law everybody does what they want.
“We need to secure our borders to ensure there are work opportunities and everything will fall into place. People will get equal opportunities and we can build our economy and infrastructure.”
Dressed in their visible green and white party colours, the members distributed pamphlets to motorists and engaged local residents, before they were joined by ActionSA Presidents Herman Mashaba.
